[ Screams ]
Ah!
Ah. Come on, let's go, let's go.
Ah!
Ah.
-Very tricky. -What? You can't hang?
I can't hang.
You told me you just jogged a little bit on the weekends.
You out here Usain Bolting my ass.
[ Laughs ]
Ah, that's how you court the ladies out here?
I ain't got to do all that.
Well, confession.
Full disclosure, I may have ran just a little track
back in high school.
A little bit? How much is a little?
Enough to earn a full college scholarship.
Oh, shit, you done hustled me, girl.
Well, I might as well disclose, as well.
You see this knee right here? It's swollen.
Compared to that one.
You did that when you hit me with your car.
And I gave you a head start.
That's what we're doing?
-Hey. -Really?
Hey, it's my story, I'm sticking to it.
-Wow! [ Laughs ] -That's right.
Well, it was nice running into you see.
Oh, shit. Oh, I see you got jokes.
You're the one with the jokes.
Uh...
So, Mr. Jones.
I love to take you out to dinner sometime.
Excuse me?
Look, you're a single mom, you're in school,
you work, right?
You haven't been out.
So, uh, let me show you all that the "A" has to offer.
Uh, I can't.
It's just a little too early for me to be going out on dates.
Plus, I mean, even if I wanted to, I promised A.J.
that we could dance this afternoon, so.
Well, look. All right.
You doing that this afternoon, right?
-Yes. -Alright.
So how about I take you out for a little coffee?
We could walk.
You have to drive because you know you don't need to drive.
Oh, wow.
Coffee?
I'm sorry. I don't drink coffee.
Well, how about tea?
Look it's not a date. They got tea.
They got -- what's that, Thai?
-Chai, chai tea. -Chai.
Obviously you don't drink chai.
COREY: No, but you do.
I'm just trying to welcome you to the neighborhood,
that's all.
We can walk.
See this? I think you owe me.
Give me 20 minutes.
I'll be right here nursing my knee.
In fact, bring me some ice. Can you bring me an ice pack?
No.
[ Sighs ] God damn.
[ Corey laughs ]
SAM: I know, I know, it's fine.
You really funny.
So how's, uh...
How's the transition going?
Mm.
It's going good. Great, actually.
I'm just trying to figure out the basic things,
like where the good supermarkets are,
trying to differentiate on the Peachtree Street.
Oh, yeah, that's a lot.
That's a challenge. [ Laughs ]
Um, but you know what?
I've been meaning to ask you. A.J. needs a barber.
Do you know of anyone? I mean, whose lineup is starting
to look more like a wig.
-[ Laughs ] -So mama got to help him out.
No, I got you. I got a guy.
He's actually from New York.
Well, A.J.'s dad is from New York.
Really?
Um, anyway, I do need to get that number from you.
If you could text that to me, that'd be great.
Yeah.
Thank you. Um...
And thank you for the invite. I got to head out.
I'm gonna keep this place in my back pocket.
-Here is for... -What are you doing?
...the tea and the croissants.
-No. -You said it.
This was not a date, correct?
-Touché -Mm.
All right, thank you, Corey.
I'll see you around.
Thank you. Thank you.
A.J.: Sure you want to do it?
Because it's not too late to back out.
Back out?! For real?
Honey, I been dancing since before you was born.
Me and your daddy used to hit the club every weekend.
And how long ago was that, old lady?
Old lady? Old lady?
I'm just sayin, I don't want you to go hurting
and breaking ankles.
-Osteoporosis is a real thing. -[ Laughs ]
You a smartass, you know that.
Worry about yourself, Dr. Oz. I got this.
-You want me to wait? -No, you go first.
I'm gonna stretch it out a little bit.
Wait this. You need to know how to do this.
What?
I could do that.
Hold on.
Ha, hee, ha, hold on.
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
-Hey! -Okay, okay.
What? Okay. All right.
-Your turn. -You know what?
That's why you lost your shoe.
That's called instant karma.
You know what? Teach me something.
Put the shoe on, teach me something.
Teach me something.
-Okay, we go like this. -Like what?
Here, here, yeah!
-Yeah! -Yeah!
-Wait. -Here, here.
Yeah! Hold on. Like that?
Yeah.
Hey, what you know about your mama?
Oh, wait, I did the wrong side, though, wait.
Where we going?
Oh, my God.
Aah! Oh!
[ Laughs ]
-I was about to let you have it. -I know where you got
that mouth from, too. -Lord.
You know what? You know what?
Next time, we got to figure out what the bet is.
-Listen. -Next time.
You got to relax.
We need to go skip stones.
Skip stones.
A.J.: No, you know what happened last time.
You know what happened last time
you made me skip stones.
Good night, ma.
Good night, Munch. Come here.
I had fun today.
-Me too. -Good.
-Good night. -Night.
[ Line ringing]
Hey, Nana.
Hey, Munchy. How was your day?
Oh, good. Tried to teach mom how to dance today.
-[ Laughs ] -I tried.
Good. You all safe?
Yeah, we're safe.
Just trying to get settled in, unpacked.
She really likes her job.
You know she's going to teach me how to drive soon?
Wow!
I guess you really are getting settled in.
You forgetting about old me, huh?
-No, we miss you. -Oh, well, I miss you, too.
It's good to be missed, baby.
I guess I can give up the hope
of you all change in your mind and coming back home, huh?
I mean, mom really likes her job, so.
Don't worry. Nana's going to be fine.
[ Sighs ]
Can I ask you something, baby?
Sure, Nana.
Have you seen anyone since you've been in Atlanta?
What do you mean?
Well, a counselor or therapy?
No, mom really doesn't think it's necessary.
Oh, okay.
Um, so are you currently off your meds?
Yes. Why do you ask?
Oh, okay.
Well, I'm going to let you go, baby.
You you try to get some rest, okay?
Okay, I love you, Nana.
I love you guys, too.
[ Sighs ]
[ Knock on door ]
[ Screams ] Who is it?!
Now, Annie, I saw you checking your mail.
I was calling your name. You didn't hear me?
Girl, I just mind my business.
I'm not listening or paying anybody no mind.
And what are you doing here anyway?
And why aren't you quarantining?
Oh, Annie, stop.
It is beautiful outside.
I came over here to check on you.
I'm fine.
I was just about to go in there and make me some breakfast
and watch my shows.
You come over here scaring me to death.
Oh, Annie, come on now.
Alright, I'm going to go by the mall
and pick up a couple of things, and you should come with.
Oh, no, I ain't going there.
Do you even watch the news, child?
As minimally as possible?
Because the powers that be don't do nothing
but use the media to pump fear.
Jo, you need to go on away from here with that stuff,
and you need to start watching the news.
If you did, you know that there was a shooting
over at the mall yesterday, and you're wasting your time
trying to get me to go over there.
Now, go on going ahead with that mess.
Coming over here, scared me half to death.
Child, that is not your husband!
This ain't the Dew Drop Inn.
Thank you for checking. Bye.
Mnh-mnh. That's the wrong thing to do.
It's a knife back there.
WOMAN: Hey, class, please go to chapter 23,
where we will continue our lesson on photosynthesis.
Guess he really needed to use the bathroom.
[ Laughter ]
Dad!
Hey, Pops!
Dad?
Dad?!
Hey.
Where you going?
You okay?
Oh.
Dad?
How -- how are you? What?
[ Laughs ]
How you doing?
-I'm good. -Good.
W-- I mean, you made it.
Yeah, man, had to come down, see how you were doing.
How you feeling? How you fitting in?
-I mean, it's all right. -Yeah?
Yeah. I just needed to see your face, man.
-All right? -Yeah.
Just remind you I'll always be here when you need me.
-I know. -All right.
-Get on back to class. -All right.
All right?
SAM: It's due Monday.
-Come on. -Come on what?
What about sexual misconduct?
I mean, that's still pretty big in the news these days.
No. It's just been done.
I get it. I get it.
I'm feeling a little stumped right now.
Oh, look who it is.
Hey, Professor Duma.
Oh, I'm very impressed.
-Thank you. -Thank you.
He's impressed, and we don't even have a topic yet.
It's bad. Look, why don't we just take a few days.
We can come up with something good.
What are you doing this weekend?
You free?
Why don't you come to my place?
I'll provide food.
But just a heads up.
I don't think A.J. likes me too much.
Yeah, well, don't take it personal.
[ Chuckles ] He's protective of me.
He's not really checking for anyone other than his dad.
-So... -Understood. Understood.
-So, um... -Damn, new piece?
What? Oh.
I'm a police officer, if that's what you're asking.
Oh.
Wow.
Well, if you think A.J. doesn't like you now,
I would definitely keep that under wraps
when you're around my place.
Why didn't you say anything before?
Uh, gee, I don't know, because people get weirded out
when I tell them what I do.
-Hm. -Hm. Yeah, exactly.
It's not something I tell people when I first meet them.
But I'm one of the good ones, Sam.
So what made you go back to school?
Because I want to do law,
um, work my way up to becoming a prosecutor,
perhaps become a D.A. in the great city of Atlanta.
See, that's how we're going to bring about change.
That's how I'm gonna make my contribution.
My boyfriend always says that I take on too much,
but this boy's got big dreams.
And dream big, you should.
[ Speaking indistinctly ]
My dad always said hard work never goes in vain.
-Well, I concur. -Mm-hmm.
Daddy was a smart man.
Oh, I'm sorry. I got to take this.
Yeah. And I got to run.
All right.
Jo, what's up, girl?
I have been wanting to talk to you.
[ Birds chirping ]
Looking pretty nice out here, young blood.
Yeah, I'm all right.
All right.
Looking more than all right to me.
No, I'm good.
I was just shooting around.
Ma said I got to get up.
Feel like you might want to shoot with me?
Oh! I told you more than nice, kid.
You see that?
A.J.: Yeah.
So that's it, huh?
That's all you got?
So, A.J...
Um...I've invited your mother and you, of course,
down to the aquarium this afternoon.
She says that most likely you wouldn't want to roll.
No, she right. I'm good. Y'all go.
I mean, it's gonna be fun, you know?
They got a lot of fish.
I'm good. I don't want to look at no fish.
How about a movie or something?
I'm good, bro.
I can look at whatever I want from right here.
You know, that's exactly the point she's trying to make.
You need to monitor how much time you spend
looking at this stuff.
[ Sighs ]
Look, I know you and your mom are a team.
I'm not trying to get between you.
And I'm sure that, um...
the situation with your father is complicated.
[ Sighs ]
You see, I understand that y'all just moved here,
but I've grown pretty, uh, fond of your mother,
and I'd like to get to know her a little bit better.
You, of course, as well.
I know I'm not your father,
but if you ever need anybody to talk to,
you know, just get something off your chest.
Yeah, yeah. You're right. You're not my father.
WOMAN: Corey, we have an issue at the desk.
Copy. I'll be right there.
Hello, everyone. How are you?
-Good. -Good.
Welcome to Pastel Sip and Stroke.
My goodness, I can't tell you how good it feels
-is to actually see faces. -[ Laughs ]
I use this as a catharsis.
Did you really just bring me to a place called Sip and Stroke?
-You know, this is art. -It's true.
-Wow. -So release the creativity,
all of those worldly emotions that we go through
on a daily basis, just put it all on your canvas.
Try to enjoy yourself. There is no getting this wrong.
It's art after all, right?
So your paint brushes,
additional ones are over near the sink.
We have some canvases on the floor,
plenty of wine to go around.
So enjoy yourself and don't forget to sip while you stroke.
-Stroke or poke? -Or stoke while...
[ Laughs ]
-Stroke. -Oh, Corey, I cannot.
Mm.
But listen. Um, ooh. All jokes aside.
Thank you.
For?
For talking to A.J. earlier
Your efforts do not go unnoticed.
It's my pleasure. I just --
I don't know how effective it's going to be.
Look, I get it.
I was the same way when I was his age, you know?
Any man trying to talk to my mom, I was like,
"Mnh-mnh, no, no, no. No, sir."
You know?
Of course there was always that one that was...
trying to -- trying to weasel his way in.
Mm-hmm.
But, you know, I wasn't having it.
It was hard, though, you know? We moved a lot.
So my mama was always getting into some new situation.
I would feel like...
kind of like trying to compete for her time.
Oh, really?
Yeah, but she was beautiful.
She was a really beautiful woman.
She was just...
She was just hard.
You know?
I always wondered what it was like for her growing up,
because she never told me.
That woman was like an ocean full of secrets.
Wow.
I just realized I never told anybody that.
Look, anyway, she's gone now.
She...she passed?
How did she die?
That's funny. You hear that?
That was us talking about A.J.
I mean, that must have been really traumatic
as a little boy.
I mean, I know we all have our trauma in one form or another,
but have you ever thought about how,
you know, we can pass that down generationally?
It was not traumatic for me.
It was, you know, I'm good.
Just move on. Can't dwell on the past.
You know, I guess what I'm trying to say...
...is I wonder if we ever truly heal from some things, you know?
And if not, how does that ultimately affect or change
who we become.
Look at me.
I'm fine.
Is that -- did I get a little too deep?
Did you just go there?
Used that against me,
but you are nothing like my mother, okay?
You make sacrifices for your son.
You know what? I have a really good idea.
I think it's going to help both of us.
Okay.
I'll give you one guess.
-Why are you -- -No, I'll show you.
SAM: Oh, all right. I like surprises.
This is not the idea, but look at that.
SAM: Those are my eyes.
I mean, that's -- that's your mother's eyes, maybe.
Don't know why I got that.
[ Knock on door ]
Come in.
-Hey, baby. -Hey, Mom.
How was the rest of your day?
Okay, I guess.
[ Chuckles ]
Well, hold on. We have a surprise for you.
Who is we?
-Mmm. -[ Barking ]
Come on in, y'all!
[ Both laugh ]
Look, isn't she cute?
She's like a little teddy bear.
-Look at her. -This is Max or Maxine.
According to the Rescue, she'll answer to either one.
I'm thinking we'll call her Max.
Wait, but you and Dad always told me
it wasn't the right time.
Why now?
Well, I have to admit, it was a bit of a guilt present.
But I know your dad and I promised you a dog,
so I figured now would be a good time
to fulfill that promise.
I mean, I can't take all the credit. It was Corey's idea.
No, it wasn't me.
We have a neighbor that runs a rescue.
So she said during quarantine, lot of dogs ended up homeless,
so...including Maxine here.
Thanks, Corey.
She loves them treats.
Ahh!
Well, looks like we got a new member of the family.
Want me to take a picture?
Yeah, let's do it. Let's get a little selfie in.
Hey, Max.
Everybody -- Max, Max, Max, Max.
[ Camera shutter clicks ]
Ah, that's a good one. All right. Good.
You hear that? I got Chinese food.
So wash up, come eat, okay?
I got food for you, too, baby. Yes!
-I'll be out in a second. -Alright.
One more, one more.
Ah.
[ Camera shutter clicks ]
Hey, Max.
It's beautiful. Enjoy.
Je...sus.
Girl, that walk.
Mm, mm, that's a mean walk.
[ Inhales sharply ]
Whoo! You know that brings a man closer to God, right?
-[ Laughs ] -Jesus Christ.
-Hallelujah. -It's hallelujah, yes
Lord have mercy.
I hope I didn't take too long.
-Not at all. -Did you see anything you liked?
Did I find anything I like?
-On the menu. -Oh, on the menu.
Well -- Oh, here we go.
Uh, excuse me. Is that a margarita?
Uh, no one ordered that.
She ordered a triple shot of Hennessy and some --
Corey, stop.
You know damn well I didn't order no Hennessy.
-Don't you want Hennessy? -No. Don't listen to him.
This is perfect. Thank you.
You are trying to get me caught up.
COREY: Well, not caught up, but I am definitely
trying to get you.
So let's toast. Uh...
To, um...
To new beginnings.
So, uh, are we going to address the elephant room?
Um...
Hm.
Well, I was, um...
I was married for 13 years.
-A.J.'s dad? -Yeah.
He was from Brooklyn, an older brother.
I met him fresh out of college.
He actually gave me my first real job.
I used to temp at his home remodeling company.
After about a year of handling employee schedules
and admin and payroll, he hired me full time.
Nothing like a little nepotism, huh?
And then?
And then six months later, we fell in love,
we got married.
Shortly after, A.J. was born.
You know, Gerrod was really, really smart.
Meaning he, uh, you know, got in a little trouble early on.
Spent a little time in jail, but...
he turned all that around, started his own company,
and then shortly after, I came into the picture.
He's really ambitious. He was a good dad.
I learned a lot from him.
So it took him six months, huh, to fall in love.
Uh, but he sounds like a really good guy.
You say "was." What happened?
Well, um...
he left us.
He left you?
He left all of this?
With all his good attributes, G was a hot head.
He was extremely stubborn.
But anyway, to new beginnings, right?
Yeah, to new beginnings.
Bring it back in.
What's up? Okay.
-Mm. -You hear that?
Do I hear that? That's my joint.
-That's your joint? -That's my joint.
-No, no, ah, ah, ah, ah. -What do mean no?
-What are you talking about now? -That's my song.
Ain't gonna know anything about this music.
Really? I didn't know anything about this music.
You don't, and if you do, would you like to join me?
-Well, you know -- -Get up.
The sign says "no dancing."
Oh, I'm sorry. I thought your friend owned this place.
Well, he does. Oh, so you're a rebel?
Well, they make the rules to break them, right?
Would you join me?
Devil in a blue dress. Come on.
Devil in a blue dress.
♪ 'Cause every time we do ♪
♪ I feel inside me, too ♪
♪ You can't deny me, too ♪
♪ You can't deny the truth ♪
♪ We got to keep cool ♪
♪ Don't let them in the room ♪
♪ You can't hide too cool ♪
♪ Let me inside of you ♪
♪ Tonight ♪
♪ That's right, tonight ♪
♪ You're finally ready to face that mountain ♪
♪ But don't rush it ♪
♪ Be open, open to change ♪
♪ Might lose yourself on the way ♪
♪ Got to trust ♪
♪ You make it right ♪
♪ Right into heaven ♪
♪ Oh, yeah ♪
♪ You'll be the one ♪
♪ From right where you are ♪
♪ Right where you are ♪
[ No audible dialogue ]
Look like you're having fun tonight.
Don't even start, G.
You're the one who left.
You made a choice.
GERROD: You still blaming me for that?
You made the decision to leave.
I warned you not to go.
GERROD: So, who's this dude?
Someone to booze on.
Doesn't matter.
I just want you to be happy a little bit.
That's all I want.
I'll always love you, baby.
Who knew that you could dance like that?
That was a lot of fun.
Again, I'm -- I'm sorry.
I don't know what happened.
No, it's fine.
Just as long as you're good.
Yeah, I'm fine.
I just needed some fresh air.
Good night, Mr. Bennington.
All right.
[ Clears throat ] Good night.
Hey.
Um, you know, I've been meaning to ask you.
What happened with Arnez?
I had been getting complaints about him.
He apparently put cameras in the unit and, you know,
freaking people out, of course, so...
-Arnez? -Yeah, I know.
-Well, do I have to -- -No, no, no, no. You're good.
I took care of it personally.
That's what I do. I take care of things.
Good night, Mr. Bennington.
Yeah.
Good night.
Namaste.
Namaste stay right here. No?
[ Mumbling indistinctly ]
[ Mumbling continues ]
MAN ON TV: If you catch a cracker lighting a torch
to any black church...
Jesus.
MAN ON TV: The sounds of hatred
and not the sounds of burning wood
will most likely from this.
My God.
MAN ON TV: ...small East Texas town.
[ Groans ]
MAN ON TV: ...churches have been burned.
[ Breathing heavily ]
MAN ON TV: ...the soul of the city persevered.
MAN #2 ON TV: If there was a confrontation,
and we'll be preparing to handle anything.
MAN ON TV: Harris is not the only one who'd rather not see
the two groups butt heads.
[ Breathing shakily ]
MAN ON TV: The people have a voice, too.
WOMAN ON TV: Breaking news.
Early this evening, there was yet another shooting
involving an unarmed Black man.
Details are still sketchy, but witnesses say a motorist
was pulled over allegedly for a broken tail light,
and that when the officer was questioning,
things quickly escalated.
The family is demanding an independent investigation
and for the...
[ Sighs ]
We'll report back as the story develops.
Lord, can you help it stop?
Good night, queen.