Star (2016) s03e15 Episode Script
Lean on Me
1 Previously on Star CARLOTTA: I was a baby! You bastard! I tried to kill his ass.
SIMONE: You sorry you almost killed Davis because you were high? 'Cause I just filed for temporary custody over him until Star gets her ass out of the hospital.
COTTON: You asked me to protect y'all from Leon.
I always come back for what's mine.
If you touch one hair on her head I come here, and I play music for her every day.
- I'd be a better father than you.
- Yeah, well, you ain't.
CARLOTTA: Star is really sick, and she might not ever be the Star we used to know.
My name is Noah Brooks, and I'm 12 days sober.
MISS BRUCE: Noah, it's Bruce.
I'm worried about you.
Hey, Bobby.
Look, I-I think you need to get down here.
Your son needs you.
CASSIE: Calvin is your devil.
(GASPS) WOMAN: Get your hands off me.
MISS BRUCE: Come on, baby.
Uh-uh.
This way.
And if I find any of this on the blogs, I swear - I will track you down in this mop of a wig - BOBBY: Noah, wake up.
Noah! - WOMAN: Noah, baby, I'll call you later.
- Think I'm playing.
Damn thots.
- (SIGHS) Come on, Pa, what are you - BOBBY: You've been AWOL for more than a week.
Had me worried sick when Bruce called me.
- (SIGHS) - Look at you in here.
You done hit rock bottom, Noah.
How many times I got to stop you from trying to kill yourself, huh? Sit up.
Sit up! I'm-a go get y'all some tea while y'all talk.
While we talk about what, huh? You probably done told him every damn thing already.
- Hey, watch your attitude.
- I ain't worried about Noah.
He ain't mad at nobody but himself.
Well, you should have called me.
Yeah, well, I did.
But your voice mail was full.
Man, I kept trying to ask you if you was okay.
- And I'm fine.
- You not fine! You clearly not fine! You know what, I'm here now, and I'm not gonna leave you again.
You gonna detox right here.
- What? - You on lockdown.
Ain't on lockdown.
I got ASA luncheons - You do? - Yes.
Ask me if I care about that.
Go ahead! Exactly.
Get comfortable.
(SCOFFS) I bring me Get mine, 'bout mine, go hard Looking for another like me Boy, stop I bring me Whose love is the tightest? Whose kiss is the nicest? Me Whose touch is the rightest? Me I bring me I bring, I bring me.
On the other side It's all right, just hold me in the dark Come on, y'all.
You know Star's gonna walk in here any minute, and you haven't put your decorations up.
- Sorry.
- SIMONE: It's okay.
I remember having that look.
I couldn't keep my hands off your ass.
- You want some, too? - Mm-hmm.
Oh.
Oh.
- It just got really intimate.
- (DAVIS FUSSING) So, when's the wedding? Soon as my baby wins an ASA.
We're still looking for venues, though.
I was thinking the Four Seasons in Midtown.
- So a big wedding.
- (LAUGHS): What? - That's not big.
- That is big.
Baby, it's the Four Seasons, not Buckingham Palace.
Yeah, Derek, we know you got that wheelchair money.
- Can I live? - Whoa.
- (LAUGHS) - (DOOR OPENS) - CARLOTTA: Look who's home.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- What? Hey.
It's really good to see you back here.
SIMONE: There's Mommy.
- ALEXANDRA: Yes.
- It's Mommy.
Yes.
Hi.
(DAVIS COOING) Hi, baby.
It's Mama.
It's Mama.
I'm back.
Oh, you got so big.
You got so big.
Take it easy.
Now, you know, the doctor said you may experience a little dizziness - and nausea, so - Yeah.
I know.
I'm good.
I promise.
Hi, baby.
Hi.
Remember me? I'm back now.
Hey, you just woke up a week ago.
So take it slow.
I know.
You had a lot thrown at you, you know.
So have you, Miss C.
Have they made funeral arrangements for your dad? My father and I had a complicated relationship, so I'm staying out of all of that.
Speaking of fathers, where's Noah? Tied up in his music.
Oh.
- (DAVIS CRYING) - Okay.
What's that, little man? What's that cry for? SIMONE: I think that's his - "I need my binky" cry.
- Oh.
SIMONE: There we go, little man.
Yeah, he does that all the time.
I'm sorry.
CARLOTTA: Don't worry.
You got time to figure all that out.
(RINGTONE PLAYING) Hello.
I'm looking right at 'em.
All right, we'll see you down there.
That was Maurice.
He wants y'all to come down to the luncheon and look at Take 3's intro package.
- Okay, cool.
- All right, let's go.
(CHUCKLES) Where are you going? I'm going with you.
- I'm ready to go.
- You know I can watch Davis.
Nah, he's my little road dog.
It's all good.
Let's go to work.
(DRILLING AND HAMMERING) MAURICE: Hey, Star.
Good to see you.
I didn't think you'd be back at it so soon.
She's not.
She's taking it easy.
So, how'd the intro package come out? The promo team knocked it out the park.
It'll play behind the girls when they take the stage to accept the nomination.
- And what about the "So Sick" package? - All good.
Alex, you'll promo that one alone if Noah doesn't show.
Why wouldn't Noah show? It's the damn ASAs.
He's coming.
Yo, what's the deal with the performance at the actual award show? Word is the committee is looking for another artist up for Best Pop Album to perform.
Amber Drake.
She just got on the scene, Maurice.
She's huge right now, which is why they got her singing at the nominee luncheon.
SIMONE: Oh, so she's gonna have a leg up with all those producers and voters now.
MAN: Here we go.
Sound check for Amber Drake.
You send that dopamine To my brain To my brain I know a private party Somewhere for just the two of us Let me surprise your body Your body I want your body All to myself, all to myself I want you all to myself, all to myself Nobody else, nobody else Nobody, nobody else, nobody else Just me, my body And you, and you, and you And you, and you Just me, my body And you, and you I want you all to myself All to myself.
MAN: Next check in five after the lighting changeover.
MAN 2: Yes, that's right! - Screw doctor's orders.
- WOMAN: Sounded great.
I'm not letting that broke Madonna take us down.
You need to get us that performance at the luncheon.
(SIGHS) (INDISTINCT CHATTER) I ought to pistol-whip your dumb ass for trying to take what's mine.
Please do it so I can go to the cops and tell them all of your dirt.
Ain't nobody trying to believe no ex-hooker.
Say it again so I can shank your stupid ass.
- (CHUCKLES) - Dior is not your property.
You're gonna leave her and all those girls alone.
You really ain't in a position to be putting no demands up on nobody.
But you are in a position to give me something.
Don't even think about it.
This your auntie's bar, right? Why don't you let me run Dior and some other girls up out of here? Why in the hell would I do that? Well, I guess you don't really care about the safety of your girls after all, huh? You know how hard it is out there in them streets, especially for a girl like you, and you made top dollar.
Oh! (CHUCKLES) Look, you manage 'em.
I'll be hands-off.
But I make my money.
Think about it.
(CHUCKLES) MAN: Hey, let's put these banners up in the lobby.
- Come on.
- (EXHALES) Don't look at me like that.
I'm breathing heavy 'cause this is heavy.
The doctor cleared me.
I'm good.
To leave the hospital.
Not perform.
Look, I want this ASA just as much as you do.
I need this, Alex.
You know I do.
My solo career is falling off.
Star, we can't have you go back to the hospital, okay? You need to slow your roll.
This feels slow.
SIMONE: I know.
It's hard.
Hey, guys.
I'm Amber Drake.
This is crazy, right? - I'm a huge fan.
- Oh.
"I Bring Me" was my jam back in the day.
(CHUCKLES) Back in the day? It was two years ago.
I get the sacrifices y'all had to make to get here.
And now we're nominated for Best Pop Album.
- Can you believe it? (LAUGHS) - I cannot believe it.
And your first time out the gate.
Well, this is my first album, but I've been grinding since I was ten.
Just like y'all.
Oh, I'm sure it was exactly like us.
(LAUGHING) Mmm-mmm, I got a million and one things to do before your father's funeral.
Don't know why you're wasting your time on that.
Lottie, we're not gonna have that conversation again.
I finished his eulogy, and I want you to read it.
And I also want you to help me pick out a family photo for the program.
I'd be happy not to have my name or my face in that program.
Lottie, stop being so doggone dramatic.
You know what, Ma, you you know what that man did to me, and yet you're walking around here like it never even happened.
Which is almost as damn bad as him trying to stick - his nasty-ass - Oh, no! I don't want to hear that no more! Look, I've done the best I could to raise you and your sister, making y'all into the strong women y'all are today.
But in life sometimes you got to do things that you don't want to do for the greater good.
What greater good, Ma? What does that even mean? It means your daddy is gone.
He's dead.
So whatever problem you had with him, you need to let it lay down and die, too.
I ain't going to that funeral.
I'm glad he's dead.
(DAVIS CRYING) One second.
One second, baby.
Here I come.
I got you.
Let's see where your daddy's at.
Haven't seen him yet.
(LINE RINGING) NOAH: It's Noah.
You know what to do.
Noah, what is going on? I've called you a hundred times.
Call me back about your son.
- Hey.
- Hey.
You heard from Noah? Let me hold Davis.
No, I got him.
(DAVIS FUSSING QUIETLY) Where's Noah? - I don't know.
- Simone.
Noah's been taking pills.
I walked in, and Davis was crying, and Noah was passed out on the floor.
He was alone? - No.
- You took the time to throw me a welcome home party, but you didn't tell me what's going on - with my child's father? - You were already going through a lot, and I didn't want to make it worse.
I would never leave my baby in the hands of a junkie.
- Okay.
- I would die first, Simone.
- You know that! - I know, and I took him out of there, Star.
You shouldn't have had to, though.
I should have been here.
He's three months old.
I should have been here.
Star, you couldn't have been there, and that's okay.
I took care of it.
(DAVIS CRYING) But I'm back now.
Okay? I'm back.
So I don't want you making any more decisions for me or my son.
Don't talk to me like I haven't been here for you and Davis every day.
Please.
Simone, where are you going? (SIGHS) Hey, Lottie.
Sister Hodge sends her condolences for Daddy.
She made us a pound cake.
Ugh.
People keep bringing up this damn funeral.
Yeah, and you know Mama keeps up her appearances - so she won't feel so bad.
- I don't know why.
Denial's the best way.
Ain't nothing to cry about.
I don't know, sis.
I think them sins caught up with his ass in the end.
And what's that supposed to mean? Did you do something? (DOOR OPENS) - Hey, hey, hey.
- Hey! - Hey! - There's my girl.
How you doing, Big Cousin Duke? - What's up, cousin? - What's happening, girl? (LAUGHTER) Look at him.
Big-headed Rashad.
You can just call me "Rashad" now.
- Oh.
- DUKE: Yeah.
Look at you all grown up and smelling yourself.
(LAUGHTER) Hey, what's this I hear about y'all not coming to your daddy's funeral? Look, we don't need to talk about that.
Come on now.
This your daddy we're talking about.
Y'all got the nerve to do him like that? Now, I know you never forgave him for leaving your mother.
- I don't care about that.
- You did.
You were always Daddy's little girl.
Now, what'd he ever do to you? You need to stand down, Cousin.
I need you to do right by your father.
I'm-a check y'all later.
- (VOMITING, COUGHING) - BOBBY: Okay.
Okay.
You need some water, son? Bobby, this is a part of the detoxing.
It's all right.
Let him soldier through it.
Look, I can't soldier through it.
We need to call a doctor or something? No, Pop.
No, I'm good.
I'm good.
Just (PANTING) I-I need some air.
- I can't breathe.
I need to get out of here.
I need - Look, look - Okay, all right.
- Look, Bobby, it's been 24 hours.
Ain't no drugs in his system.
He just feeling it.
That's all.
It's a part of it.
If you insist, I got a friend who's a detox specialist.
I can call him.
Okay - (KNOCKING) - STAR: Noah, open this door.
- Oh, this crazy bitch here.
- Open the door.
- Hey.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, okay.
- Bruce, open this door! - I can see you! - Can I talk can I talk - to you for a second ? - No, you may not.
- Look, Star - What happened, Noah? Star, you need to take it easy.
You promised me.
I trusted you with our son.
- NOAH: Star.
- What happened? - Star, it was an accident.
- I don't want to hear no excuses.
I heard enough of those from my mother.
Stand up.
Get up and look me in my eye, Noah.
- I don't feel bad for you.
- Star.
Look at me in my eyes and tell me what happened.
What happened? Star, look, I'll never forgive myself, all right? - I don't believe you.
- I'm sorry.
All I wanted was for my child to have a father.
But take a good look, because this is the last time that you're gonna see your son.
Star, would you calm your crazy ass down? I will never be calm about this.
Star, I'm sorry.
- Ever! - I'm sorry.
(GROANS) Nice to meet you.
Hey, listen.
(MUSIC PLAYING) Sorry I'm late.
Some things never change.
(MUSIC STOPS) I went to see Noah.
I wanted to see him for myself.
I get that we're all supposed to hate him right now, but he's really trying to get it together.
Yeah, I know that, but he's not being a good father.
Bruce said he's trying to get sober, but - Mama used to say the same thing.
- Exactly.
We all got things we got to get past in life, but it always gets passed down to our kids, whether we like it or not.
And what made you so wise? Juvie.
Dealing with your ass.
Sorry I yelled at you earlier.
- No, you're not.
- You want to say sorry? - No, I don't want to say sorry.
- See, nothing's different.
You two are still arguing.
You're still coming in late and yelling like you just came from the trailer park.
What's up with the luncheon? - Yeah, Maurice got us a spot to perform.
- Dope.
Nobody told me.
- We got to talk about that.
- What is there to talk about? If y'all are gonna tell me to sit my ass down again, I'm gonna go off.
This performance and this nomination are all that I've got right now.
If we're performing, I'm performing.
You got the track, load it up.
You think I'm playing? 'Cause I'm not.
Load it up.
Okay.
Let's hear it.
(WEAKLY): Can I see you in the ? It's been a while.
Again.
Can I see you in the morning? Run it back.
Remember, the doctor said not to push it, okay? Run it back, Simone.
It's just been a while.
I'm fine.
Run it back! Can I see you Can I see you I'm singing the I'm singing the right note, right? I'm sorry.
Did you say vocal rest? No, I can't.
(DAVIS CRYING) Great.
Great.
Damn it! I'm sorry.
It's okay.
It's okay.
Are you mad at the world, too? Huh? You want to go on vocal rest? - Maybe that's what you need.
- (KNOCKING) - Hi.
- Hey.
(DAVIS CONTINUES CRYING) I, uh heard you were home.
You look great.
Shh, baby.
It's okay.
- And he will not stop crying.
- No.
You want to say hi? No, I actually came to see how you were doing.
I'm amazing, outside the fact that I'm the only person in the world who can't seem to get my son to stop crying.
You didn't know babies cry? - It's kind of what they do.
- Yeah.
And the doctor just called and put me on vocal rest.
He said the intubation bruised my vocal cords.
Your vocal cords are damaged? That means I can't sing.
And I have a performance tomorrow at the ASA luncheon.
Why do you need to? Because there's this new girl, Amber, who's on our backs.
Come on.
You're scared of a new artist? No, it's not about a new artist.
I'm not about to come home and lay down.
I've been out the game for three months.
I've lost all this time with my son.
I've lost all this traction on my solo stuff.
Now I can't even sing.
I have nothing.
And he won't stop crying for me because he hasn't been with me.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Let me see him.
(DAVIS CRYING) (SHUSHES) It's okay.
Shh - Come here.
- (DAVIS QUIETS) (SHUSHES) I missed you.
- Star, I - I know.
I know you had to move out.
I understand.
But Simone told me you visited me in the hospital the whole time.
It's 'cause I care about you.
(SIGHS) But right now we're just friends.
It's all it can be.
(DAVIS CRYING) Remember when we were on the bus to the family reunion and you took the water cooler and put it in front of the bathroom, and then Uncle Walt peed in it? - (BOTH LAUGH) - You went crazy.
You were crazier than me, though.
But, see, you had everybody fooled with that whole holier-than-thou routine.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, but I know you.
I know you, too.
I was the first to figure out you were different.
Yeah.
I mean, the fellas would be out playing two-hand touch in the streets, and you over here on the sidewalk jumping rope with the girls.
And I was the baddest double Dutcher - in the neighborhood.
- There we go.
I used to feel bad, though, 'cause everybody kept trying to make you be Arnold when that really wasn't who you are.
Yeah.
It took me a long time to finally settle into my skin.
You know, I was out in these streets - making a lot of mistakes.
- What saved you? - My grandmother.
- We all need someone to reach out and save us.
There but for the grace of God go I.
Oh, here you go with this.
Go to bed, church boy.
(RASHAD LAUGHS) - Hey, Ma.
- Hey, babe.
Hey.
Your dad said you're over here to change my mind about the funeral? Nah.
You know what's sad about our family? We only really get together for funerals and holidays.
(CARLOTTA CHUCKLES) You know what? The older I get, the more I realize family ain't about who you have to be with.
It's who you choose to be with.
And that ain't got nothing to do with blood.
All I can say is, your father changed my life.
He helped me find Christ, he paid my tuition all throughout college.
That's why I'm here to pay my respects.
I don't know what went down between you and Cousin Calvin, but it can't be worth you missing his funeral.
Well, look-y here.
When did you start coming here to wet your whistle? When I found out the drinks was free.
- (LAUGHS) - I know the owner.
- And you lucky to have me.
- Hello, would you care for a drink? Because I've been fending calls off of Ma all damn day.
Yeah, well, she done made my place ground zero for this damn funeral.
Yeah, but you got to look at that bright side, though.
You have plenty of food and a whole lot of alcohol.
Yeah, for a man we love to hate.
Yeah.
- Mmm.
- Carlotta, he's gone now.
You know, God works in mysterious ways.
That's Scripture.
Was it God? Or was it you? Look, Mama wasn't there for you, and she still ain't.
And Daddy was filthy guilty, hiding behind the fact that he was your stepdad, so I couldn't let that slide.
I had to step in and do what I had to do.
And you okay with that? Hell no, I'm not okay with that, but I'd do it again if it meant protecting you.
Protecting me? Every word of denial was a bullet to your heart.
So I packed that damn gun away for good.
(SIGHS): Aw, man.
I'm just so tired of this whole mess.
Yo, not telling people why you're not participating in Daddy's funeral gives him power over you.
- And he's dead.
- I am not having this whole damn family look at me like some victim.
Lottie, do you remember what you used to tell me as a kid? I told you a lot of stuff.
You was bad as hell.
But you used to tell me that the truth would set me free.
I told the truth, Cassie.
And the person I needed to believe me the most refuses to.
Well, I believe you, if that means anything.
And I always got your six.
Well, you could prove that by getting us another round of whatever the hell this is.
- This about to have me right.
- Right? - What? - Drink the rest of mine.
I'll get us one.
On me.
(CHUCKLES) (DAVIS CRYING) Davis? (DAVIS CRYING) Hey.
(SCREAMS) (PANTING): Davis! Davis! Aah! - Davis! Davis! - Oh, Noah, Noah, Noah, no, no, no, no.
- I'm sorry, man! I'm sorry.
- (SHUSHING) - Noah, Noah, Noah, Noah, Noah, hey.
- Sit him down.
Sit him down.
No, no, it's just a nightmare.
- I got you.
I got you, son.
- I'm sorry.
- It's okay.
- This is a he a certified opiate doctor, all right? He's Dr.
Feel.
He helped me when I was going through it.
- He's clearly in full-blown withdrawal.
- What do we need to do? We got to take him to a hospital? - I really think we should.
- We're leaving, - we're leaving.
- NOAH: No, no, no, no, no.
I got it, Pop.
I can do it.
- I can fight it.
- I can't let you kill yourself to do this, man.
I've got to be strong for my son.
I've done everything wrong.
He didn't deserve it.
So if I got to be sick, if I got to hit the bottom, I'll do it.
I got to do it.
- (GROANS): Oh, come on, Pop, please.
- I know.
All those lessons, all those lessons you tried to teach me, how to be a man, this is the one that counts.
No, no, I know that look in your eye that's the same look I had when I came back to get you, all right? - I can do it.
- You can do this.
Okay? You can do it.
You can do this.
Simone, I will talk to her, but you know your sister.
I'll try.
I will try.
All right.
Bye.
(SIGHS) This is from the gentleman.
Man Too broke to pay attention Man, man, yeah Man, listen, man, listen I don't want to assume you need company, but I damn sure could use some.
Stand different (LAUGHS): Very good.
Now, how many times have you used that line? (CHUCKLES) My first time, actually.
May I? Make you stand different, they dropped the ball You may have all the lines, but I don't think - I have the time tonight.
- Yeah.
It seemed like that phone call was stressing you out a little bit.
You okay? I'm good.
Nothing I can't handle.
Nothing you can't handle, huh? Well, look, I may not be able to make that go away forever but I sure as hell can make it go away for a little while.
Man, listen, man, listen.
These Arms of Mine They are lonely Lonely And feeling blue These arms Of mine They are yearning CARLOTTA: I needed that.
(BOTH LAUGH) Oh.
You and me both.
Wow.
Whew! I need a moment.
- (LAUGHS) - And a shot.
Hold you I don't usually do this.
Oh, how grateful I will be Who's judging, huh? Of mine They are You know tomorrow we can go back to our big and complicated lives.
Loving arms But tonight we're just two strangers.
And I, I, I need - (MOANING) - I need your, I need your tender lips.
This is where Mommy works.
What you think of this? Hey, I'll talk to you later.
Hey, Star, I need to talk to you.
- 'Sup? - Simone told me about what's going on, how you've been pushing it too hard with your voice.
Pushing yourself too damn hard.
Carlotta, I'm fine.
- Oh, yeah? - I'm performing tomorrow.
I'm not bowing down to Amber Drake.
Okay.
Well, then hit a middle C for me real quick.
- It's in your range.
- Carlotta, come on.
- Come on, you got it.
- I don't got to prove nothing to you.
Or Simone or Alex.
Look only thing you need to be worried about right now is taking care of yourself and your son.
You don't need to be worried about that performance.
That performance is how I'm taking care of Davis.
Or is it how you're dodging your guilt? Look, I know what it's like to be locked up in jail and have somebody else raising your son, missing out on all those firsts.
But until you can admit that and deal with that, you've gonna be chasing down all the wrong things.
- Here we go.
- Oh, no, look, if you made this, then I know it's got pork in it, and you know I'm vegan.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, I don't care nothing about no vegan.
This is double bacon and ham that's how you're gonna get your strength back, son.
Yeah, well, I'm gonna need it.
'Cause I feel like I'm coming back from the dead.
Let me tell you something.
Watching you rise up and deal with your demons the way you have, - it inspires me.
- Yeah.
Struggling through this has it made me realize I've been blaming everyone else for the things that happened to me in my life.
Don't beat yourself up too bad, man.
We all got our shortcomings.
It's how we deal with those, that's what really counts.
Look, Pop thank you for seeing me through this.
(CHUCKLES) I love you.
- All right, okay, I'll talk to you later.
- Oh.
Truth be told, though, I couldn't have got through this without Bruce.
That's who we really need to thank right there.
- Thank you, Bruce.
- Oh, so y'all finally trying to give a bitch some damn credit around here.
- Hey, we try, we try.
- Y'all try, uh-huh.
No, I just got off with Carlotta.
Um, the ASA producers want to make sure you're coming to the nominee luncheon, but - Oh, that's great.
- No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
The music business is on hold for now.
Wait, wait, come on, Pop, that's-that's the nominee luncheon.
If I don't show up, they're gonna talk.
Let 'em talk.
Worrying about this mess got you here in the first place.
Listen to me I'm making sure - this never happens again.
- And it won't.
Never happens again.
You're gonna be battling addiction your whole life.
You want to win? You got to fight it 24 hours a day.
- You ain't ready.
- I've been detoxing, all right? I've-I've detoxed.
I need to take care of my business.
- I need to take care of Davis.
- Listen here.
You trying to take care of your son? I'm taking care of mine.
- Come on, man.
- I'm taking care of mine right now.
You want to fight me on this one? All right, let's go.
(SIGHS) Hello.
ALEXANDRA: So, what'd the doctor say? He said I'm all good to perform.
Girl, you know that you a damn liar I just got off the phone with the doctor, okay, and he said that you need to be resting.
Well, then I'm-a sue him.
'Cause he shouldn't be telling my business.
Star, you and Davis are my business, okay? Your health is way more important than this nominee luncheon.
That's why me and Alex have made the decision.
And what's that? (SIGHS) You're not performing with us.
You're performing without me? If that means getting a shot at ASA, then It won't.
Star, you think that we can't do anything without you? I didn't say that.
- This is Take 3.
- Look, a lot of things have changed since you've been gone.
I've had to grow up.
Alex is a superstar.
And you can't just put yourself into everything.
- (DAVIS CRYING) - It's a Take 3 performance.
- I'm singing.
- No, you're not.
You are outnumbered: two against one.
You're not singing.
We made our decision.
Okay? I'm out.
- Alex - So am I.
- (DAVIS CONTINUES CRYING) - If you walk out that door, you might as well find someplace else to stay.
You know that baby's crying 'cause his diaper's wet, right? - Good luck.
- (DAVIS CONTINUES CRYING) (DOOR CLOSES) (PHOTOGRAPHERS CLAMORING) Watch what you say to me I do not have no more time Don't say that you love me If you do not mean it So watch what you say to me That's right, take it all in.
You've worked your ass off for it.
You fought like hell.
Since day one.
The minute I met Alex, I knew we'd be here.
But now I feel like I'm on the sidelines.
I was so close to getting it, Carlotta.
I was so close I could taste it.
And now it's killing you 'cause you're not in control.
Star, you've got to listen to your body.
Let the girls get the shine for y'all today.
That's not what I do.
I'm not used to that, sitting back and doing nothing.
Even with my own son, Carlotta.
I watch Simone.
Simone knows everything that Davis needs.
And I should be able to do that.
I should be able to take care of him.
I'm the one who took care of her.
Yeah, I'm sure that seems backwards, but you got to meet Davis, your voice, your career where it's at.
Not where you want it to be.
Even Noah.
- You don't got to defend him to me.
- I'm not defending him.
I'm just saying people are broken.
Y'all are both trying to be good parents, but it's not gonna happen for either one of y'all until you take some time and heal yourself.
Look this is about a celebration, baby girl.
You're at the American Sound Awards.
You're nominated.
You got to enjoy this moment however it is.
Don't think too much.
I'm gonna see you in a minute.
- All right.
- Okay.
ANNOUNCER: Give it up for Amber Drake and her performance "All to Myself.
" You crushed it, Amber.
(AMBER LAUGHS) Let me see you top that.
I want to smack his ass.
Hey, y'all.
All right, Star, please don't fight us on this.
Please.
I'm not here for that.
It took me a while to admit it, but I get it.
As much as my mind is ready to get on that stage, my body's just not.
And, uh, I I see that y'all were just trying to look out for me and Davis.
I mean, yeah, we just want what's best for y'all both.
Also I don't really want to live in that big old loft by myself 'cause I hear noises at night and Bitch, please.
You know that I wasn't gonna go back to that nasty RV.
I knew it.
I knew you were bluffing.
ANNOUNCER: Up next, performing a smash hit from their sophomore album, nominated for Best Pop Album, Take 3! (AUDIENCE CHEERING) Go give 'em that work.
Y'all, come here.
- Oh! Oh.
- (GIGGLING) (AUDIENCE CHEERING) ("MY TYPE" PLAYING) Can I see you in the morning? Can I see you in the morning? Can I? Can I? 'Cause I love the way you're talking 'Cause I love the way you're talking, ooh I could be your only girl I could be your whole damn world And we could get lost in it I could be your only girl I could be your whole damn world And we could get lost in it Talk too much, I know But you get me, though Ramblin' again, but you wanna know I can't help but feel Like we've been here before Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh Tell me that you wanna put up with me Love me just the way I'm supposed to be Promise you I wouldn't be You'll be back out there soon enough.
'Cause you're a fighter.
Never catch you looking at other girls You tell me I'm right when I know I'm wrong Ramblin' again, but you wanna know But you wanna know Oh, oh-oh-oh, no lie I think you're my type I, I really like the way you Don't lie Get me just right Oh, why Too high But you make it all right I wanna see you in the Daytime Stay up all night Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh.
ANNOUNCER (CHUCKLES): Yeah, "My Type"! Yeah, that's lit, ha-ha! I would like to also order some, uh, casket spray.
Thank you.
How do you feel, Ma? I'm tired.
We all are.
That's kind of what I want to talk to you about.
I need to put this thing with Daddy behind me.
Lottie, I don't have time for this right now.
Daddy is dead.
And I don't want to lose any more time with you behind this.
But I don't want to sugarcoat it and act like it never happened when we both know it did.
You didn't protect me as a child and you didn't believe me, and that scarred me.
I'm not hiding my scars.
I'm not concealing 'em for nobody.
Not anymore.
Not to make somebody comfortable about my truth.
(CRYING): If I hadn't been running the streets when you guys were growing up, I could have done something.
I should have done something.
But, baby, I didn't do a thing, and I'm so sorry, baby.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
I'm glad to see you getting some closure, sis.
I know it hasn't been easy.
Yeah, well, this is more of a celebration of the living than the dead.
I feel like we finally got a chance to move forward.
For real this time.
Well, amen to that.
Ooh, I need some air.
You know how it gets when we're in one place at one time.
All of us.
Okay? The ASA producers loved what you ladies did at the luncheon.
Even without Star.
Okay, so why does it sound like there's a "but" in your voice? They gave Amber the performance at the awards show.
- Damn, man.
- (EXHALES) Y'all could still win that category.
The ASA is yours if you ask me.
We just got to get you in fighting shape.
I got a doctor's appointment on Tuesday.
Okay, since we're not performing at the ASAs, does it really matter anyway? Bitch, yes, it always matters if we get an award.
Okay, bitch, we'll just put some Auto-Tune in your voice.
- Stop.
That's not funny.
- (CHUCKLES) - I was kidding.
- Just - I need a drink.
- I'm right here with you.
- I need one, too.
- Let's go.
- What you want? - Give me a shot of something.
You want a double shot? Nah, I don't think I can.
- I've always been a Mixed Harmony fan.
- Ah.
(CHUCKLES) It's like your voice has conviction and a whole lot of emotion.
When I was growing up, they called that soul.
Felt like pain to me.
Well, some people are born with it and some people get it through life experiences.
COTTON: I know you, Leon, and I want to protect these girls.
Okay, Leon, fine, we have a deal.
I'll manage the girls and you get the money.
But if you so much as wink at those girls, I'll cut your black ass with no second thought.
I know we're cousins, but you've always been like an auntie to me.
And the thing that I admire most about you is you always keep it real.
So I'm-a ask you this: where does that pain come from? (SIGHS) Rashad.
My father was many things to different people.
- To you, he brought you to Christ.
- Yeah.
My sister Cassie, he treats like royalty.
Me, he sexually assaulted on more than one occasion.
(SIGHS) So the pain you hear in my voice is from years of hiding and concealing those experiences with him.
I'm sorry.
I know.
I know.
He was a flawed human being just like the rest of us.
And stay away from the club.
I don't need my Aunt Ti to know nothing.
Yeah, yeah, yeah I had those moments I changed my mind Thinking that you, God Wouldn't be on time PRIEST: Let us pray.
God, we commend to you the spirit of Calvin, and commit his earthly remains to their final resting place.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
You proved over and over Your words are true Oh, the healing, God You gave me Help me win, win, win, win again Oh, I give it all To you The pain I go through, yeah, yeah I give it all to you My hope comes from you I give it all - Yeah - To you Whoa, oh Victory in you Yeah - I give it all - I give it all Yeah, yeah I give it all I give it all I give it all To you The pain I go through I give it all To you Victory in you - I give it all - I give it all - I give it all - All To you.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR) What do you want? I, um I-I tried calling you after the luncheon.
I'm sorry.
I was busy raising our son.
Look, Star, I know I messed up.
I'm more sorry than you'll ever know.
You should be.
He could have died.
I went through all of this with my mother, you know that.
I'm not about to put my child through it.
He's not gonna hear you say that you're sorry his entire life.
So I'm gonna do the best that I can, and I'm gonna get my solo career back on track while I do it, but I don't have time to be dealing with your pill-popping deadbeat ass.
Not this time.
Okay, look, there's nothing more in this world that I want to be than a good father.
And I know it's I know it's wrong showing up here like this, unannounced.
But I was I was hoping that there was any way that that-that you would let me see my son.
No.
Oh, I give it all To you The pain I go through, yeah, yeah I give it all to you My hope comes from you I give it all - Yeah - To you.
SIMONE: You sorry you almost killed Davis because you were high? 'Cause I just filed for temporary custody over him until Star gets her ass out of the hospital.
COTTON: You asked me to protect y'all from Leon.
I always come back for what's mine.
If you touch one hair on her head I come here, and I play music for her every day.
- I'd be a better father than you.
- Yeah, well, you ain't.
CARLOTTA: Star is really sick, and she might not ever be the Star we used to know.
My name is Noah Brooks, and I'm 12 days sober.
MISS BRUCE: Noah, it's Bruce.
I'm worried about you.
Hey, Bobby.
Look, I-I think you need to get down here.
Your son needs you.
CASSIE: Calvin is your devil.
(GASPS) WOMAN: Get your hands off me.
MISS BRUCE: Come on, baby.
Uh-uh.
This way.
And if I find any of this on the blogs, I swear - I will track you down in this mop of a wig - BOBBY: Noah, wake up.
Noah! - WOMAN: Noah, baby, I'll call you later.
- Think I'm playing.
Damn thots.
- (SIGHS) Come on, Pa, what are you - BOBBY: You've been AWOL for more than a week.
Had me worried sick when Bruce called me.
- (SIGHS) - Look at you in here.
You done hit rock bottom, Noah.
How many times I got to stop you from trying to kill yourself, huh? Sit up.
Sit up! I'm-a go get y'all some tea while y'all talk.
While we talk about what, huh? You probably done told him every damn thing already.
- Hey, watch your attitude.
- I ain't worried about Noah.
He ain't mad at nobody but himself.
Well, you should have called me.
Yeah, well, I did.
But your voice mail was full.
Man, I kept trying to ask you if you was okay.
- And I'm fine.
- You not fine! You clearly not fine! You know what, I'm here now, and I'm not gonna leave you again.
You gonna detox right here.
- What? - You on lockdown.
Ain't on lockdown.
I got ASA luncheons - You do? - Yes.
Ask me if I care about that.
Go ahead! Exactly.
Get comfortable.
(SCOFFS) I bring me Get mine, 'bout mine, go hard Looking for another like me Boy, stop I bring me Whose love is the tightest? Whose kiss is the nicest? Me Whose touch is the rightest? Me I bring me I bring, I bring me.
On the other side It's all right, just hold me in the dark Come on, y'all.
You know Star's gonna walk in here any minute, and you haven't put your decorations up.
- Sorry.
- SIMONE: It's okay.
I remember having that look.
I couldn't keep my hands off your ass.
- You want some, too? - Mm-hmm.
Oh.
Oh.
- It just got really intimate.
- (DAVIS FUSSING) So, when's the wedding? Soon as my baby wins an ASA.
We're still looking for venues, though.
I was thinking the Four Seasons in Midtown.
- So a big wedding.
- (LAUGHS): What? - That's not big.
- That is big.
Baby, it's the Four Seasons, not Buckingham Palace.
Yeah, Derek, we know you got that wheelchair money.
- Can I live? - Whoa.
- (LAUGHS) - (DOOR OPENS) - CARLOTTA: Look who's home.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- What? Hey.
It's really good to see you back here.
SIMONE: There's Mommy.
- ALEXANDRA: Yes.
- It's Mommy.
Yes.
Hi.
(DAVIS COOING) Hi, baby.
It's Mama.
It's Mama.
I'm back.
Oh, you got so big.
You got so big.
Take it easy.
Now, you know, the doctor said you may experience a little dizziness - and nausea, so - Yeah.
I know.
I'm good.
I promise.
Hi, baby.
Hi.
Remember me? I'm back now.
Hey, you just woke up a week ago.
So take it slow.
I know.
You had a lot thrown at you, you know.
So have you, Miss C.
Have they made funeral arrangements for your dad? My father and I had a complicated relationship, so I'm staying out of all of that.
Speaking of fathers, where's Noah? Tied up in his music.
Oh.
- (DAVIS CRYING) - Okay.
What's that, little man? What's that cry for? SIMONE: I think that's his - "I need my binky" cry.
- Oh.
SIMONE: There we go, little man.
Yeah, he does that all the time.
I'm sorry.
CARLOTTA: Don't worry.
You got time to figure all that out.
(RINGTONE PLAYING) Hello.
I'm looking right at 'em.
All right, we'll see you down there.
That was Maurice.
He wants y'all to come down to the luncheon and look at Take 3's intro package.
- Okay, cool.
- All right, let's go.
(CHUCKLES) Where are you going? I'm going with you.
- I'm ready to go.
- You know I can watch Davis.
Nah, he's my little road dog.
It's all good.
Let's go to work.
(DRILLING AND HAMMERING) MAURICE: Hey, Star.
Good to see you.
I didn't think you'd be back at it so soon.
She's not.
She's taking it easy.
So, how'd the intro package come out? The promo team knocked it out the park.
It'll play behind the girls when they take the stage to accept the nomination.
- And what about the "So Sick" package? - All good.
Alex, you'll promo that one alone if Noah doesn't show.
Why wouldn't Noah show? It's the damn ASAs.
He's coming.
Yo, what's the deal with the performance at the actual award show? Word is the committee is looking for another artist up for Best Pop Album to perform.
Amber Drake.
She just got on the scene, Maurice.
She's huge right now, which is why they got her singing at the nominee luncheon.
SIMONE: Oh, so she's gonna have a leg up with all those producers and voters now.
MAN: Here we go.
Sound check for Amber Drake.
You send that dopamine To my brain To my brain I know a private party Somewhere for just the two of us Let me surprise your body Your body I want your body All to myself, all to myself I want you all to myself, all to myself Nobody else, nobody else Nobody, nobody else, nobody else Just me, my body And you, and you, and you And you, and you Just me, my body And you, and you I want you all to myself All to myself.
MAN: Next check in five after the lighting changeover.
MAN 2: Yes, that's right! - Screw doctor's orders.
- WOMAN: Sounded great.
I'm not letting that broke Madonna take us down.
You need to get us that performance at the luncheon.
(SIGHS) (INDISTINCT CHATTER) I ought to pistol-whip your dumb ass for trying to take what's mine.
Please do it so I can go to the cops and tell them all of your dirt.
Ain't nobody trying to believe no ex-hooker.
Say it again so I can shank your stupid ass.
- (CHUCKLES) - Dior is not your property.
You're gonna leave her and all those girls alone.
You really ain't in a position to be putting no demands up on nobody.
But you are in a position to give me something.
Don't even think about it.
This your auntie's bar, right? Why don't you let me run Dior and some other girls up out of here? Why in the hell would I do that? Well, I guess you don't really care about the safety of your girls after all, huh? You know how hard it is out there in them streets, especially for a girl like you, and you made top dollar.
Oh! (CHUCKLES) Look, you manage 'em.
I'll be hands-off.
But I make my money.
Think about it.
(CHUCKLES) MAN: Hey, let's put these banners up in the lobby.
- Come on.
- (EXHALES) Don't look at me like that.
I'm breathing heavy 'cause this is heavy.
The doctor cleared me.
I'm good.
To leave the hospital.
Not perform.
Look, I want this ASA just as much as you do.
I need this, Alex.
You know I do.
My solo career is falling off.
Star, we can't have you go back to the hospital, okay? You need to slow your roll.
This feels slow.
SIMONE: I know.
It's hard.
Hey, guys.
I'm Amber Drake.
This is crazy, right? - I'm a huge fan.
- Oh.
"I Bring Me" was my jam back in the day.
(CHUCKLES) Back in the day? It was two years ago.
I get the sacrifices y'all had to make to get here.
And now we're nominated for Best Pop Album.
- Can you believe it? (LAUGHS) - I cannot believe it.
And your first time out the gate.
Well, this is my first album, but I've been grinding since I was ten.
Just like y'all.
Oh, I'm sure it was exactly like us.
(LAUGHING) Mmm-mmm, I got a million and one things to do before your father's funeral.
Don't know why you're wasting your time on that.
Lottie, we're not gonna have that conversation again.
I finished his eulogy, and I want you to read it.
And I also want you to help me pick out a family photo for the program.
I'd be happy not to have my name or my face in that program.
Lottie, stop being so doggone dramatic.
You know what, Ma, you you know what that man did to me, and yet you're walking around here like it never even happened.
Which is almost as damn bad as him trying to stick - his nasty-ass - Oh, no! I don't want to hear that no more! Look, I've done the best I could to raise you and your sister, making y'all into the strong women y'all are today.
But in life sometimes you got to do things that you don't want to do for the greater good.
What greater good, Ma? What does that even mean? It means your daddy is gone.
He's dead.
So whatever problem you had with him, you need to let it lay down and die, too.
I ain't going to that funeral.
I'm glad he's dead.
(DAVIS CRYING) One second.
One second, baby.
Here I come.
I got you.
Let's see where your daddy's at.
Haven't seen him yet.
(LINE RINGING) NOAH: It's Noah.
You know what to do.
Noah, what is going on? I've called you a hundred times.
Call me back about your son.
- Hey.
- Hey.
You heard from Noah? Let me hold Davis.
No, I got him.
(DAVIS FUSSING QUIETLY) Where's Noah? - I don't know.
- Simone.
Noah's been taking pills.
I walked in, and Davis was crying, and Noah was passed out on the floor.
He was alone? - No.
- You took the time to throw me a welcome home party, but you didn't tell me what's going on - with my child's father? - You were already going through a lot, and I didn't want to make it worse.
I would never leave my baby in the hands of a junkie.
- Okay.
- I would die first, Simone.
- You know that! - I know, and I took him out of there, Star.
You shouldn't have had to, though.
I should have been here.
He's three months old.
I should have been here.
Star, you couldn't have been there, and that's okay.
I took care of it.
(DAVIS CRYING) But I'm back now.
Okay? I'm back.
So I don't want you making any more decisions for me or my son.
Don't talk to me like I haven't been here for you and Davis every day.
Please.
Simone, where are you going? (SIGHS) Hey, Lottie.
Sister Hodge sends her condolences for Daddy.
She made us a pound cake.
Ugh.
People keep bringing up this damn funeral.
Yeah, and you know Mama keeps up her appearances - so she won't feel so bad.
- I don't know why.
Denial's the best way.
Ain't nothing to cry about.
I don't know, sis.
I think them sins caught up with his ass in the end.
And what's that supposed to mean? Did you do something? (DOOR OPENS) - Hey, hey, hey.
- Hey! - Hey! - There's my girl.
How you doing, Big Cousin Duke? - What's up, cousin? - What's happening, girl? (LAUGHTER) Look at him.
Big-headed Rashad.
You can just call me "Rashad" now.
- Oh.
- DUKE: Yeah.
Look at you all grown up and smelling yourself.
(LAUGHTER) Hey, what's this I hear about y'all not coming to your daddy's funeral? Look, we don't need to talk about that.
Come on now.
This your daddy we're talking about.
Y'all got the nerve to do him like that? Now, I know you never forgave him for leaving your mother.
- I don't care about that.
- You did.
You were always Daddy's little girl.
Now, what'd he ever do to you? You need to stand down, Cousin.
I need you to do right by your father.
I'm-a check y'all later.
- (VOMITING, COUGHING) - BOBBY: Okay.
Okay.
You need some water, son? Bobby, this is a part of the detoxing.
It's all right.
Let him soldier through it.
Look, I can't soldier through it.
We need to call a doctor or something? No, Pop.
No, I'm good.
I'm good.
Just (PANTING) I-I need some air.
- I can't breathe.
I need to get out of here.
I need - Look, look - Okay, all right.
- Look, Bobby, it's been 24 hours.
Ain't no drugs in his system.
He just feeling it.
That's all.
It's a part of it.
If you insist, I got a friend who's a detox specialist.
I can call him.
Okay - (KNOCKING) - STAR: Noah, open this door.
- Oh, this crazy bitch here.
- Open the door.
- Hey.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, okay.
- Bruce, open this door! - I can see you! - Can I talk can I talk - to you for a second ? - No, you may not.
- Look, Star - What happened, Noah? Star, you need to take it easy.
You promised me.
I trusted you with our son.
- NOAH: Star.
- What happened? - Star, it was an accident.
- I don't want to hear no excuses.
I heard enough of those from my mother.
Stand up.
Get up and look me in my eye, Noah.
- I don't feel bad for you.
- Star.
Look at me in my eyes and tell me what happened.
What happened? Star, look, I'll never forgive myself, all right? - I don't believe you.
- I'm sorry.
All I wanted was for my child to have a father.
But take a good look, because this is the last time that you're gonna see your son.
Star, would you calm your crazy ass down? I will never be calm about this.
Star, I'm sorry.
- Ever! - I'm sorry.
(GROANS) Nice to meet you.
Hey, listen.
(MUSIC PLAYING) Sorry I'm late.
Some things never change.
(MUSIC STOPS) I went to see Noah.
I wanted to see him for myself.
I get that we're all supposed to hate him right now, but he's really trying to get it together.
Yeah, I know that, but he's not being a good father.
Bruce said he's trying to get sober, but - Mama used to say the same thing.
- Exactly.
We all got things we got to get past in life, but it always gets passed down to our kids, whether we like it or not.
And what made you so wise? Juvie.
Dealing with your ass.
Sorry I yelled at you earlier.
- No, you're not.
- You want to say sorry? - No, I don't want to say sorry.
- See, nothing's different.
You two are still arguing.
You're still coming in late and yelling like you just came from the trailer park.
What's up with the luncheon? - Yeah, Maurice got us a spot to perform.
- Dope.
Nobody told me.
- We got to talk about that.
- What is there to talk about? If y'all are gonna tell me to sit my ass down again, I'm gonna go off.
This performance and this nomination are all that I've got right now.
If we're performing, I'm performing.
You got the track, load it up.
You think I'm playing? 'Cause I'm not.
Load it up.
Okay.
Let's hear it.
(WEAKLY): Can I see you in the ? It's been a while.
Again.
Can I see you in the morning? Run it back.
Remember, the doctor said not to push it, okay? Run it back, Simone.
It's just been a while.
I'm fine.
Run it back! Can I see you Can I see you I'm singing the I'm singing the right note, right? I'm sorry.
Did you say vocal rest? No, I can't.
(DAVIS CRYING) Great.
Great.
Damn it! I'm sorry.
It's okay.
It's okay.
Are you mad at the world, too? Huh? You want to go on vocal rest? - Maybe that's what you need.
- (KNOCKING) - Hi.
- Hey.
(DAVIS CONTINUES CRYING) I, uh heard you were home.
You look great.
Shh, baby.
It's okay.
- And he will not stop crying.
- No.
You want to say hi? No, I actually came to see how you were doing.
I'm amazing, outside the fact that I'm the only person in the world who can't seem to get my son to stop crying.
You didn't know babies cry? - It's kind of what they do.
- Yeah.
And the doctor just called and put me on vocal rest.
He said the intubation bruised my vocal cords.
Your vocal cords are damaged? That means I can't sing.
And I have a performance tomorrow at the ASA luncheon.
Why do you need to? Because there's this new girl, Amber, who's on our backs.
Come on.
You're scared of a new artist? No, it's not about a new artist.
I'm not about to come home and lay down.
I've been out the game for three months.
I've lost all this time with my son.
I've lost all this traction on my solo stuff.
Now I can't even sing.
I have nothing.
And he won't stop crying for me because he hasn't been with me.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Let me see him.
(DAVIS CRYING) (SHUSHES) It's okay.
Shh - Come here.
- (DAVIS QUIETS) (SHUSHES) I missed you.
- Star, I - I know.
I know you had to move out.
I understand.
But Simone told me you visited me in the hospital the whole time.
It's 'cause I care about you.
(SIGHS) But right now we're just friends.
It's all it can be.
(DAVIS CRYING) Remember when we were on the bus to the family reunion and you took the water cooler and put it in front of the bathroom, and then Uncle Walt peed in it? - (BOTH LAUGH) - You went crazy.
You were crazier than me, though.
But, see, you had everybody fooled with that whole holier-than-thou routine.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, but I know you.
I know you, too.
I was the first to figure out you were different.
Yeah.
I mean, the fellas would be out playing two-hand touch in the streets, and you over here on the sidewalk jumping rope with the girls.
And I was the baddest double Dutcher - in the neighborhood.
- There we go.
I used to feel bad, though, 'cause everybody kept trying to make you be Arnold when that really wasn't who you are.
Yeah.
It took me a long time to finally settle into my skin.
You know, I was out in these streets - making a lot of mistakes.
- What saved you? - My grandmother.
- We all need someone to reach out and save us.
There but for the grace of God go I.
Oh, here you go with this.
Go to bed, church boy.
(RASHAD LAUGHS) - Hey, Ma.
- Hey, babe.
Hey.
Your dad said you're over here to change my mind about the funeral? Nah.
You know what's sad about our family? We only really get together for funerals and holidays.
(CARLOTTA CHUCKLES) You know what? The older I get, the more I realize family ain't about who you have to be with.
It's who you choose to be with.
And that ain't got nothing to do with blood.
All I can say is, your father changed my life.
He helped me find Christ, he paid my tuition all throughout college.
That's why I'm here to pay my respects.
I don't know what went down between you and Cousin Calvin, but it can't be worth you missing his funeral.
Well, look-y here.
When did you start coming here to wet your whistle? When I found out the drinks was free.
- (LAUGHS) - I know the owner.
- And you lucky to have me.
- Hello, would you care for a drink? Because I've been fending calls off of Ma all damn day.
Yeah, well, she done made my place ground zero for this damn funeral.
Yeah, but you got to look at that bright side, though.
You have plenty of food and a whole lot of alcohol.
Yeah, for a man we love to hate.
Yeah.
- Mmm.
- Carlotta, he's gone now.
You know, God works in mysterious ways.
That's Scripture.
Was it God? Or was it you? Look, Mama wasn't there for you, and she still ain't.
And Daddy was filthy guilty, hiding behind the fact that he was your stepdad, so I couldn't let that slide.
I had to step in and do what I had to do.
And you okay with that? Hell no, I'm not okay with that, but I'd do it again if it meant protecting you.
Protecting me? Every word of denial was a bullet to your heart.
So I packed that damn gun away for good.
(SIGHS): Aw, man.
I'm just so tired of this whole mess.
Yo, not telling people why you're not participating in Daddy's funeral gives him power over you.
- And he's dead.
- I am not having this whole damn family look at me like some victim.
Lottie, do you remember what you used to tell me as a kid? I told you a lot of stuff.
You was bad as hell.
But you used to tell me that the truth would set me free.
I told the truth, Cassie.
And the person I needed to believe me the most refuses to.
Well, I believe you, if that means anything.
And I always got your six.
Well, you could prove that by getting us another round of whatever the hell this is.
- This about to have me right.
- Right? - What? - Drink the rest of mine.
I'll get us one.
On me.
(CHUCKLES) (DAVIS CRYING) Davis? (DAVIS CRYING) Hey.
(SCREAMS) (PANTING): Davis! Davis! Aah! - Davis! Davis! - Oh, Noah, Noah, Noah, no, no, no, no.
- I'm sorry, man! I'm sorry.
- (SHUSHING) - Noah, Noah, Noah, Noah, Noah, hey.
- Sit him down.
Sit him down.
No, no, it's just a nightmare.
- I got you.
I got you, son.
- I'm sorry.
- It's okay.
- This is a he a certified opiate doctor, all right? He's Dr.
Feel.
He helped me when I was going through it.
- He's clearly in full-blown withdrawal.
- What do we need to do? We got to take him to a hospital? - I really think we should.
- We're leaving, - we're leaving.
- NOAH: No, no, no, no, no.
I got it, Pop.
I can do it.
- I can fight it.
- I can't let you kill yourself to do this, man.
I've got to be strong for my son.
I've done everything wrong.
He didn't deserve it.
So if I got to be sick, if I got to hit the bottom, I'll do it.
I got to do it.
- (GROANS): Oh, come on, Pop, please.
- I know.
All those lessons, all those lessons you tried to teach me, how to be a man, this is the one that counts.
No, no, I know that look in your eye that's the same look I had when I came back to get you, all right? - I can do it.
- You can do this.
Okay? You can do it.
You can do this.
Simone, I will talk to her, but you know your sister.
I'll try.
I will try.
All right.
Bye.
(SIGHS) This is from the gentleman.
Man Too broke to pay attention Man, man, yeah Man, listen, man, listen I don't want to assume you need company, but I damn sure could use some.
Stand different (LAUGHS): Very good.
Now, how many times have you used that line? (CHUCKLES) My first time, actually.
May I? Make you stand different, they dropped the ball You may have all the lines, but I don't think - I have the time tonight.
- Yeah.
It seemed like that phone call was stressing you out a little bit.
You okay? I'm good.
Nothing I can't handle.
Nothing you can't handle, huh? Well, look, I may not be able to make that go away forever but I sure as hell can make it go away for a little while.
Man, listen, man, listen.
These Arms of Mine They are lonely Lonely And feeling blue These arms Of mine They are yearning CARLOTTA: I needed that.
(BOTH LAUGH) Oh.
You and me both.
Wow.
Whew! I need a moment.
- (LAUGHS) - And a shot.
Hold you I don't usually do this.
Oh, how grateful I will be Who's judging, huh? Of mine They are You know tomorrow we can go back to our big and complicated lives.
Loving arms But tonight we're just two strangers.
And I, I, I need - (MOANING) - I need your, I need your tender lips.
This is where Mommy works.
What you think of this? Hey, I'll talk to you later.
Hey, Star, I need to talk to you.
- 'Sup? - Simone told me about what's going on, how you've been pushing it too hard with your voice.
Pushing yourself too damn hard.
Carlotta, I'm fine.
- Oh, yeah? - I'm performing tomorrow.
I'm not bowing down to Amber Drake.
Okay.
Well, then hit a middle C for me real quick.
- It's in your range.
- Carlotta, come on.
- Come on, you got it.
- I don't got to prove nothing to you.
Or Simone or Alex.
Look only thing you need to be worried about right now is taking care of yourself and your son.
You don't need to be worried about that performance.
That performance is how I'm taking care of Davis.
Or is it how you're dodging your guilt? Look, I know what it's like to be locked up in jail and have somebody else raising your son, missing out on all those firsts.
But until you can admit that and deal with that, you've gonna be chasing down all the wrong things.
- Here we go.
- Oh, no, look, if you made this, then I know it's got pork in it, and you know I'm vegan.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, I don't care nothing about no vegan.
This is double bacon and ham that's how you're gonna get your strength back, son.
Yeah, well, I'm gonna need it.
'Cause I feel like I'm coming back from the dead.
Let me tell you something.
Watching you rise up and deal with your demons the way you have, - it inspires me.
- Yeah.
Struggling through this has it made me realize I've been blaming everyone else for the things that happened to me in my life.
Don't beat yourself up too bad, man.
We all got our shortcomings.
It's how we deal with those, that's what really counts.
Look, Pop thank you for seeing me through this.
(CHUCKLES) I love you.
- All right, okay, I'll talk to you later.
- Oh.
Truth be told, though, I couldn't have got through this without Bruce.
That's who we really need to thank right there.
- Thank you, Bruce.
- Oh, so y'all finally trying to give a bitch some damn credit around here.
- Hey, we try, we try.
- Y'all try, uh-huh.
No, I just got off with Carlotta.
Um, the ASA producers want to make sure you're coming to the nominee luncheon, but - Oh, that's great.
- No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
The music business is on hold for now.
Wait, wait, come on, Pop, that's-that's the nominee luncheon.
If I don't show up, they're gonna talk.
Let 'em talk.
Worrying about this mess got you here in the first place.
Listen to me I'm making sure - this never happens again.
- And it won't.
Never happens again.
You're gonna be battling addiction your whole life.
You want to win? You got to fight it 24 hours a day.
- You ain't ready.
- I've been detoxing, all right? I've-I've detoxed.
I need to take care of my business.
- I need to take care of Davis.
- Listen here.
You trying to take care of your son? I'm taking care of mine.
- Come on, man.
- I'm taking care of mine right now.
You want to fight me on this one? All right, let's go.
(SIGHS) Hello.
ALEXANDRA: So, what'd the doctor say? He said I'm all good to perform.
Girl, you know that you a damn liar I just got off the phone with the doctor, okay, and he said that you need to be resting.
Well, then I'm-a sue him.
'Cause he shouldn't be telling my business.
Star, you and Davis are my business, okay? Your health is way more important than this nominee luncheon.
That's why me and Alex have made the decision.
And what's that? (SIGHS) You're not performing with us.
You're performing without me? If that means getting a shot at ASA, then It won't.
Star, you think that we can't do anything without you? I didn't say that.
- This is Take 3.
- Look, a lot of things have changed since you've been gone.
I've had to grow up.
Alex is a superstar.
And you can't just put yourself into everything.
- (DAVIS CRYING) - It's a Take 3 performance.
- I'm singing.
- No, you're not.
You are outnumbered: two against one.
You're not singing.
We made our decision.
Okay? I'm out.
- Alex - So am I.
- (DAVIS CONTINUES CRYING) - If you walk out that door, you might as well find someplace else to stay.
You know that baby's crying 'cause his diaper's wet, right? - Good luck.
- (DAVIS CONTINUES CRYING) (DOOR CLOSES) (PHOTOGRAPHERS CLAMORING) Watch what you say to me I do not have no more time Don't say that you love me If you do not mean it So watch what you say to me That's right, take it all in.
You've worked your ass off for it.
You fought like hell.
Since day one.
The minute I met Alex, I knew we'd be here.
But now I feel like I'm on the sidelines.
I was so close to getting it, Carlotta.
I was so close I could taste it.
And now it's killing you 'cause you're not in control.
Star, you've got to listen to your body.
Let the girls get the shine for y'all today.
That's not what I do.
I'm not used to that, sitting back and doing nothing.
Even with my own son, Carlotta.
I watch Simone.
Simone knows everything that Davis needs.
And I should be able to do that.
I should be able to take care of him.
I'm the one who took care of her.
Yeah, I'm sure that seems backwards, but you got to meet Davis, your voice, your career where it's at.
Not where you want it to be.
Even Noah.
- You don't got to defend him to me.
- I'm not defending him.
I'm just saying people are broken.
Y'all are both trying to be good parents, but it's not gonna happen for either one of y'all until you take some time and heal yourself.
Look this is about a celebration, baby girl.
You're at the American Sound Awards.
You're nominated.
You got to enjoy this moment however it is.
Don't think too much.
I'm gonna see you in a minute.
- All right.
- Okay.
ANNOUNCER: Give it up for Amber Drake and her performance "All to Myself.
" You crushed it, Amber.
(AMBER LAUGHS) Let me see you top that.
I want to smack his ass.
Hey, y'all.
All right, Star, please don't fight us on this.
Please.
I'm not here for that.
It took me a while to admit it, but I get it.
As much as my mind is ready to get on that stage, my body's just not.
And, uh, I I see that y'all were just trying to look out for me and Davis.
I mean, yeah, we just want what's best for y'all both.
Also I don't really want to live in that big old loft by myself 'cause I hear noises at night and Bitch, please.
You know that I wasn't gonna go back to that nasty RV.
I knew it.
I knew you were bluffing.
ANNOUNCER: Up next, performing a smash hit from their sophomore album, nominated for Best Pop Album, Take 3! (AUDIENCE CHEERING) Go give 'em that work.
Y'all, come here.
- Oh! Oh.
- (GIGGLING) (AUDIENCE CHEERING) ("MY TYPE" PLAYING) Can I see you in the morning? Can I see you in the morning? Can I? Can I? 'Cause I love the way you're talking 'Cause I love the way you're talking, ooh I could be your only girl I could be your whole damn world And we could get lost in it I could be your only girl I could be your whole damn world And we could get lost in it Talk too much, I know But you get me, though Ramblin' again, but you wanna know I can't help but feel Like we've been here before Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh Tell me that you wanna put up with me Love me just the way I'm supposed to be Promise you I wouldn't be You'll be back out there soon enough.
'Cause you're a fighter.
Never catch you looking at other girls You tell me I'm right when I know I'm wrong Ramblin' again, but you wanna know But you wanna know Oh, oh-oh-oh, no lie I think you're my type I, I really like the way you Don't lie Get me just right Oh, why Too high But you make it all right I wanna see you in the Daytime Stay up all night Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh.
ANNOUNCER (CHUCKLES): Yeah, "My Type"! Yeah, that's lit, ha-ha! I would like to also order some, uh, casket spray.
Thank you.
How do you feel, Ma? I'm tired.
We all are.
That's kind of what I want to talk to you about.
I need to put this thing with Daddy behind me.
Lottie, I don't have time for this right now.
Daddy is dead.
And I don't want to lose any more time with you behind this.
But I don't want to sugarcoat it and act like it never happened when we both know it did.
You didn't protect me as a child and you didn't believe me, and that scarred me.
I'm not hiding my scars.
I'm not concealing 'em for nobody.
Not anymore.
Not to make somebody comfortable about my truth.
(CRYING): If I hadn't been running the streets when you guys were growing up, I could have done something.
I should have done something.
But, baby, I didn't do a thing, and I'm so sorry, baby.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
I'm glad to see you getting some closure, sis.
I know it hasn't been easy.
Yeah, well, this is more of a celebration of the living than the dead.
I feel like we finally got a chance to move forward.
For real this time.
Well, amen to that.
Ooh, I need some air.
You know how it gets when we're in one place at one time.
All of us.
Okay? The ASA producers loved what you ladies did at the luncheon.
Even without Star.
Okay, so why does it sound like there's a "but" in your voice? They gave Amber the performance at the awards show.
- Damn, man.
- (EXHALES) Y'all could still win that category.
The ASA is yours if you ask me.
We just got to get you in fighting shape.
I got a doctor's appointment on Tuesday.
Okay, since we're not performing at the ASAs, does it really matter anyway? Bitch, yes, it always matters if we get an award.
Okay, bitch, we'll just put some Auto-Tune in your voice.
- Stop.
That's not funny.
- (CHUCKLES) - I was kidding.
- Just - I need a drink.
- I'm right here with you.
- I need one, too.
- Let's go.
- What you want? - Give me a shot of something.
You want a double shot? Nah, I don't think I can.
- I've always been a Mixed Harmony fan.
- Ah.
(CHUCKLES) It's like your voice has conviction and a whole lot of emotion.
When I was growing up, they called that soul.
Felt like pain to me.
Well, some people are born with it and some people get it through life experiences.
COTTON: I know you, Leon, and I want to protect these girls.
Okay, Leon, fine, we have a deal.
I'll manage the girls and you get the money.
But if you so much as wink at those girls, I'll cut your black ass with no second thought.
I know we're cousins, but you've always been like an auntie to me.
And the thing that I admire most about you is you always keep it real.
So I'm-a ask you this: where does that pain come from? (SIGHS) Rashad.
My father was many things to different people.
- To you, he brought you to Christ.
- Yeah.
My sister Cassie, he treats like royalty.
Me, he sexually assaulted on more than one occasion.
(SIGHS) So the pain you hear in my voice is from years of hiding and concealing those experiences with him.
I'm sorry.
I know.
I know.
He was a flawed human being just like the rest of us.
And stay away from the club.
I don't need my Aunt Ti to know nothing.
Yeah, yeah, yeah I had those moments I changed my mind Thinking that you, God Wouldn't be on time PRIEST: Let us pray.
God, we commend to you the spirit of Calvin, and commit his earthly remains to their final resting place.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
You proved over and over Your words are true Oh, the healing, God You gave me Help me win, win, win, win again Oh, I give it all To you The pain I go through, yeah, yeah I give it all to you My hope comes from you I give it all - Yeah - To you Whoa, oh Victory in you Yeah - I give it all - I give it all Yeah, yeah I give it all I give it all I give it all To you The pain I go through I give it all To you Victory in you - I give it all - I give it all - I give it all - All To you.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR) What do you want? I, um I-I tried calling you after the luncheon.
I'm sorry.
I was busy raising our son.
Look, Star, I know I messed up.
I'm more sorry than you'll ever know.
You should be.
He could have died.
I went through all of this with my mother, you know that.
I'm not about to put my child through it.
He's not gonna hear you say that you're sorry his entire life.
So I'm gonna do the best that I can, and I'm gonna get my solo career back on track while I do it, but I don't have time to be dealing with your pill-popping deadbeat ass.
Not this time.
Okay, look, there's nothing more in this world that I want to be than a good father.
And I know it's I know it's wrong showing up here like this, unannounced.
But I was I was hoping that there was any way that that-that you would let me see my son.
No.
Oh, I give it all To you The pain I go through, yeah, yeah I give it all to you My hope comes from you I give it all - Yeah - To you.