Previously on Black Cake...
Forgive me for keeping so many secrets.
The truth is,
learning that your perfect mother went through some shit
is kind of comforting when you spent your entire life
feeling like you could never live up to her standards.
Eight years ago, on Thanksgiving,
was the last time I saw my family.
Marc, next week,
the board will formally announce you
as the new director.
Byron, you will be reporting to Marc.
B and B, this is how
I really became your ma.
Which school did you go to in Maryville?
My aunt's a teacher over at Stanton.
That's where I went.
I didn't realize it was co-ed.
Why you lying?
What aren't you telling us, Coventina?
Oh, stop trying to pawn that boy off on her, Edwina!
To Scotland!
Elly!
Coventina Brown was now officially dead.
Eleanor?
Don't you know your own name?
You're afraid to tell your story
because you are lying.
- You're running from something. - I'm so sorry,
I never meant to cause any trouble.
- I'll see myself out. - It's gonna be okay.
No. Please stop.
You grow up thinking that when
someone does something terrible to you,
you will react, you will fight back.
London wasn't exactly safe,
but there he was,
my past, right in front of me.
I had to ask myself,
did I want to be seen?
We will! We will! We will...
Down with the slumlords! We are British just like you!
Fair housing now!
My God, Covey!
Don't call me that.
I wanted to make Scotland work.
I thought I could make a new life
for myself there, but--
But then my-- my coworkers
started to suspect I was lying about who I was,
so I left before they could ask any more questions.
All this time, I thought I'd lost you.
I still can't believe you're really here.
You have no idea how good it feels
to be able to talk to someone who knows the real me.
I was afraid you'd forgotten about me.
Never.
When I read about the accident, I tried to move on,
but,
no one else compared.
Turns out, you're my one and only.
But,
maybe it was silly to hold onto that.
Why would you say that?
I thought maybe you had found someone else.
Well, have you?
Have you thought of me?
Gibbs,
thinking of you has been my escape.
A reminder of who I was.
Who I am.
You're my one and only.
You always will be.
I do have a favor to ask, though.
Can we take it slow?
Of course.
As slow as you like.
How could I tell Gibbs
what had happened to me in Scotland?
I didn't want him to think of me any differently.
And I had a feeling
that he was keeping secrets from me too.
But we buried all of that,
and we started living again.
- Then you jump first. - No, I said.
- What's the matter with you? - I can't swim!
Why you crazy? The fall will probably kill you.
Remember when we used to beg for rain
to save us from the heat?
Now it's just a nuisance.
Speaking of those days,
have you heard from Bunny?
No.
I only went back there once,
after the accident,
when I had to settle my parents' estate.
I wish I could've met them.
Me too.
But I didn't want to see anyone from before.
Why not?
Too many memories.
Our memories.
But I did hear that the police arrested someone named
Short Stack or Short Shirt,
something like that.
There wasn't much evidence, though, so,
case is still open.
Coventina?
I can't believe it!
Edwina!
We all thought you were dead!
We-- We read about the train crash.
You were listed as one of the victims.
I-I know, I--
- It was a mistake. - Where is Elly?
I thought for sure, she would've written by now.
I'm sorry.
Covey?
Hey, just breathe.
We can't do this.
What? Do what?
Be together.
You saw what just happened.
I stole someone's identity.
I buried Coventina to be Eleanor,
which means that for the rest of my life,
I'm gonna keep looking over my shoulder,
running from people like Edwina.
You don't want to live a life of secrets.
We all have secrets.
Not like mine.
I don't want to put you in any danger.
And as long as I stay in London, I'll never have peace.
We'll never have peace.
Then let's leave.
I have some money put away from my parents.
We'll jump on the next plane out of here.
Start someplace fresh. Someplace far away.
And we'll never look back again.
And have you give up your entire life?
I can't go back to Jamaica.
Little Man's brothers think I'm dead.
We may not be able to go back,
but we can go forward.
Together.
Marry me, Covey.
And I promise you'll never carry your secrets alone.
Are you crazy?
Marry me.
And I promise to buy you a ring
as soon as we get where we're going.
But where will we go?
Marry me, and I'll tell you.
♪ My baby don't care for shows ♪
♪ My baby don't care for clothes ♪
♪ My baby just cares for me... ♪
Back then, it was easier to disappear.
Back then,
you could open a new bank account,
or get a driver's license
with just part of your birth name.
♪ Liz Taylor is not his style ♪
♪ And even Lana Turner's smile... ♪
Promise me that when we have a family of our own,
we'll start fresh.
I want this to be the only wedding night we remember.
We'll never speak of it again.
Back then, "Gibbs" Gilbert Bennett Grant
cut all ties with his past to be with the woman he loved.
Happy anniversary, Bert.
Yes, B and B,
Gibbs, my one and only...
...is your father, Bert.
Take this, son.
Let the old folks show you how it's done.
Wait, wait, Bert, before you start,
I want to make a toast.
Congratulations, Byron, on getting your dream job.
You've known you wanted to be an ocean scientist
ever since you were six years old,
and you've overcome so much to get here.
We're so proud of you.
And... to my Benedetta,
you have so many talents:
your music, your painting, your cooking.
I love how passionate you are,
and I hope that culinary school brings you
all the success and joy that you seek.
Mm-hmm.
Thanks, Dad.
Amen.
Now, I hope one day in the not-too-distant future,
we'll be toasting to our in-laws.
Speaking of,
Byron has made some progress in that department.
Who is she, Byron?
Who is she?
If you must know, her name is Lynette.
And we met when I was being interviewed
for that Trailblazers documentary.
Her documentary. She's a director, Ma.
And she is really making a name for herself in that world.
Well, I can't wait to meet her.
And... what about you, hm?
Is there a young man I should be giving a stern talking to?
I thought you were gonna school us on charades, old man. Hm?
All right, you want some schooling?
Ahh!
Woosh!
Pelican.
Woooosh!
Parasail!
That's time.
It was tidal wave!
I thought that would be easy for you, Covey.
Woosh!
Um... I'm sorry, I--
I need to lie down.
I'm sorry.
It just... slipped out.
No.
I'm sorry.
It's just hearing that name
brought everything back up again.
And it reminded me how much
we've kept from the kids.
Well,
maybe it's time we finally tell them the truth.
All these secrets,
they're a burden, Eleanor.
Look what they've done to you, hm?
It's been so long.
Hm.
Who we running from now, huh?
We've waited too long.
Now what good would it do to tell them now?
I'm thinking about what it will do for you, my love.
I know.
And I adore you for it.
But I can't think about myself.
Not now.
Telling them won't change anything for them
except how they see us.
So why go through all that pain and heartache?
What happens if they resent us?
What if they can't forgive us?
Do you really think that would happen?
I walked away from my father,
and my mother walked away from me.
Betrayal... is a powerful thing.
Hm.
And I'd rather suffer in silence
than risk losing our children.
You okay, Ma?
Oh.
Yes, honey.
- She just needs to rest. - Mm.
Hm.
I love you.
You too.
Come on.
I wish now
that I had listened to your father.
Maybe if I had shared my secrets, Benny,
it could have brought us closer.
Maybe
it could have kept you from running away that Thanksgiving.
I can't believe she didn't tell Dad about Scotland.
The saddest part is,
I think Dad would've wanted to know.
Did he tell you any of this?
No. No.
Truest thing about... Bert Bennett
was his character, not his name.
You wanna keep listening?
Mm, I can stay as long as you like.
No. Thank you.
I need a break.
I thought you might.
Call me when you're ready to dive back in.
You know the drill.
And, uh... take as long as you need, hm?
Do you really think Dad would've wanted to know everything
that Mom went through?
I do.
Might've helped her in some way.
Him too.
She must have felt so alone.
How could Ma have had Bunny in her life,
how could she have gone through so much with her,
and let Dad be so judgmental with me?
Hey. Look...
That, uh...
Thanksgiving was horrible. For all of us.
But why didn't you come back?
All these years?
I reached out.
You never answered me.
What was I gonna come back to?
More judgment?
You felt judged by me?
Yes!
By all of you.
What about when Dad died?
You said you'd come to the funeral.
- We waited for you, Benny-- - I wanted to be there.
- But-- - But what?
Come on, you can tell me, Ben.
You wouldn't understand.
Wait, where are you going? I just want to talk--
Please.
Just give me some space, okay?
I gotta go.
Surprise.
What are you doing here?
Well, it's... been a while,
so I thought I'd drop by and see if everything was okay.
It's not, actually.
My mom died.
Oh, God. Benny, that's awful.
I did come bearing some news that might cheer you up.
I think you could use a little
good news right about now.
Couldn't you?
Hey. Welcome home.
I'm sorry. My flight was delayed.
So how bad was the latest message from beyond?
Let's open the beers first.
So... you know that sculpture we made,
the one we said we would never sell?
Well, Helena called.
She has a buyer.
It's a substantial offer,
and I think we ought to consider it.
I don't think I want that piece
displayed in someone's house, Steve.
I mean, it's personal.
Look.
It's good money.
You could open that café you're always going on about.
Must be really hard on Benny.
Maybe harder, in some ways.
What makes you say that?
It's been eight years since she's been back home,
and...
this is what's waiting for her?
I mean, death is disruptive
and painful,
but it's also a natural part of life.
What Eleanor's done here isn't.
Let me be here for you.
You just tell me what you need.
If it were me,
I'd feel manipulated.
♪ ...can make me hope ♪
♪ I'm drowning inside... ♪
I don't think I could do that to my children.
She did the best she could.
I know.
Of course, she did.
And she's also managed to bring you and Benny back together,
which, let me tell you, I never thought would happen.
♪ It's since you've been gone ♪
I can always count on you, can't I?
♪ If my pillow could talk ♪
♪ It'd cry out his name ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh, cry out ♪
♪ Cry out his name ♪
- I've missed you. - Mm.
How'd it go at work?
You asking because you want to know,
or because you already know?
I follow Marc on Twitter.
Why?
I'm a masochist.
Why didn't you tell me they promoted him over you?
'Cause it isn't that deep.
People don't always get the jobs they want,
it's the nature of competition.
If this was a competition, you'd have won.
This is purely about them not wanting to put you in a position of power.
Instead, they'd rather praise Marc fucking Bishop
and flog you as their mascot!
I'm not a mascot, Lynette.
You know how hard I've worked.
This is the only institute that prioritizes my kind of research.
And you want me to throw that away
by playing the race card?
I want you to get angry.
Because this is about race.
Because your mother overcame so much
and your father was a civil rights lawyer.
And you can't even summon the courage
to fight what is clearly workplace discrimination?
Don't use my parents to shame me.
I'm sorry. That's not what I meant.
Except, that is what you meant.
I-It's not only what I meant.
You're an extraordinary scientist,
and you deserve to be recognized and respected for what you do.
But you know they will never give you that.
And rather than do something about it,
it seems like you're happy to just lie down and take it.
I don't care how it seems to you, Lynette.
No. You know what?
Can you just go?
Please.
Ooh, we should probably put this out.
We can't turn up to Sunday dinner baked again.
Uh... or we could stay here
and interrogate orgasmic discourse.
- Mm-mm. - Mmm.
Hm.
Or, if you'd rather, we could skip dinner at my mom's,
we could go down to the OC,
go see your parents?
It'd be nice to finally meet them.
I haven't... told them about us.
About me.
I mean, they're great.
Like, on the right side of history and everything.
It's just--
They can be very critical.
I get it.
My family needed a minute when I came out.
Yeah.
It's more complicated.
See, my parents,
they have an expectation of what their
first-generation American daughter should be,
and... I will never be that.
Benny,
I have worked really hard to live my truth,
and I don't wanna push you to do something you're not ready to do, but,
I'm not interested in hiding again.
No, Jo-- Joanie, I wo--
I would never want you to think that.
That is not what I'm doing.
I know my parents would love to meet you.
Hey! Look at you!
I clean up nice, right?
Very nice.
♪ Sunrise ♪
Thank you.
♪ Sunset ♪
♪ For now... ♪
Way to ease her in, fam.
Um...
Hi. I'm Joanie.
Hi. Byron.
Lynette. Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I'm Eleanor.
It's so nice to meet you.
Uh, this is my husband, Bert.
Welcome to our home.
I hope you're hungry.
We've been exiled from the kitchen for hours,
so it must be nearly time to eat.
Oh, okay.
So.
Come.
♪ ...so much happiness ♪
My son listens to the sea for a living.
Can you imagine?
It's actually a job!
It's pretty amazing.
Almost as amazing as these yams, Benny.
Only one more year of culinary school, Benedetta.
Have you started applying for apprenticeships yet?
No.
I haven't.
'Cause...
Well, culinary school wasn't really working out.
What does that mean?
I dropped out.
But don't worry. I, I have a new job.
I work at a café.
And-- And I love it.
And I actually get to paint on my off hours,
and I'm learning way more than I learned in culinary school.
Like what?
Like w-waiting tables and working the register,
and-and-and learning the menu, and--
And it's not just any café, it's-- it's run by Haruto Kai.
He's a very important pastry chef.
Hm. Good for Mr. Kai.
But what does that mean for you, Benny?
W-Well, it means I get hands-on experience and research
for... when I open my own concept café one day.
It's gonna have music and art,
kinda like a, um, cultural space with dessert.
I wanna serve your black cake, Ma.
You-- You left school,
two schools,
on which I have wasted thousands of dollars
so that you can be a waitress as research?
School is not for me.
And there are a lot of people in the restaurant business
without a formal education.
Those people are rich,
and you are not.
That's your problem, you're not the one funding your failures.
Oh.
Is-Is-Is that all I am now?
A s-series of failures?
That's not how we feel.
Yeah, well, that is how you make me feel.
When I was a little girl,
you and Dad, you told me that I could be anything I wanted to be.
And when I told you that I wanted to be an artist,
you constantly invalidated my need
to explore and think and create,
and then you force me to go to college
because that's what you think makes somebody successful!
How dare you?
After all we done for you!
Oh, y-y-you-- You flip-flop your schools,
your jobs, your apartment, your hair, your men!
And now apparently women.
There it is.
Ben, this isn't about--
No, don't try to clean up Dad's mess.
Byron, that's what he feels.
He was lying when he said, "Bring your girlfriend.
The more the merrier! Some of our best friends are that way."
It's such bullshit! And what about you, Ma?
Were you lying too?
Do not talk to your mother like that!
You know, we tried to support you
when you dropped this bomb on us,
just like we've been supportive of you your entire life.
But clearly, we gave you too much freedom,
too many choices,
because you can't even pick something and stick with it!
I'm so sorry you had to go through that.
But... things will calm down, just-- just give it a few days.
You shouldn't have pushed me to do this.
- Pushed you? - If you weren't so hell-bent
on meeting my family, I wouldn't have had to go through this.
And with a fucking audience, no less.
I didn't insist on anything, you know that.
This isn't about me.
You've been keeping so many secrets from them.
This is about you.
You know what, Joanie?
I get enough shit from them.
I don't need any more judgment.
So let's just end this.
Benny?
Benedetta, please come home.
I know you're still upset about last Thanksgiving,
but we can talk--
It's pretty magical, right?
Watching people discover your art.
Wow, Mr. Dwyer. Hi.
Steve. Please.
- Are all the judges attending tonight? - Mm-hmm.
I have to tell you,
I thought your light installation
at the Tate Modern was... incredible.
Were you in London when it opened?
Uh, no. But I read about it.
Tell me about your piece.
Well... we're in the middle of a cultural reckoning,
one that transcends gender and race.
So I tried to capture some of that collective rage
through utilizing large, buttery brush strokes
and broken colors.
You're gifted, Benny.
I hope you know that.
Thank you.
Mm. Maybe one day, I'll be able to support myself through my art
instead of waitressing.
Not maybe.
Definitely.
With a little guidance,
maybe as my apprentice,
I think you could be quite successful.
You offer apprenticeships?
I think it's my responsibility to make space
for up-and-coming artists.
Would you be interested?
Absolutely!
Well, I-- It-- It'd be an honor.
I'll be honored to help.
Maybe we could get a bit of press for you.
I think your work is exactly the sort of stuff
that...that Frieze would love to feature.
Uh, if my mom read about me
in some fancy art review magazine like Frieze,
she would lose her shit.
Oh, rightfully so.
Thank you.
No one is doing what Benny is doing with light,
and even some assemblage, which is new to her.
Oh, I inspired her to try it, and now...
...she's hooked.
Your piece at our art gallery showcase
was so powerful.
Are you planning to exhibit again?
Well, Helena, we haven't approached any other galleries as yet,
but...
you will see her in Frieze.
- She will? - Mm-hmm.
I was speaking to the editor just this morning.
Thank you.
You should see her latest piece.
Who'd like a little peek?
Uh-- Wait, wait. I don't think it's ready.
Don't do that, Benny.
Take pride in your talent.
He's taken a real interest in you.
Don't squander it.
Tonight was perfect.
It has been a long time since I felt,
I don't know, supported or encouraged.
Thank you.
The pleasure has been all mine.
But I sense there's
more to this story.
Yeah, much more. You have no idea.
Then, tell me.
Well...
My parents never understood that I wanted to make a life creating.
And it's been about a year since we had a... major fight about it.
But your support
makes me believe that I can,
that I can make a life.
And instead of just telling them about it, I can
show them that it's possible.
You should surround yourself
with people who have supported you from
the very beginning, Benny.
You are so stunningly beautiful.
- Stop! - No.
I'm gonna sculpt you.
I'm gonna sculpt you,
and you'll paint the finished sculpture.
You want to collaborate by sculpting my body?
Yeah. Think of it as part portrait,
part self-portrait.
The lens through which I see you,
overlapping with the
lens through which you see yourself.
And how do you see me?
As a goddess.
Wait there.
Have you ever worn your hair any other way?
Like how?
I don't know, um,
more feminine.
Okay, look. Mm.
Oh!
- Let's see. - Look at you.
- Aw! - Look at that! Look at your hair.
It's fantastic.
I forgot how much I love coming to the theater.
Oh, yeah. We should make a habit of this.
Once a month. You, me, and a movie.
Mm. I love it.
Oh, God.
Benny?
Benny!
Wow, look at you.
- You cut off your locs. - Oh, it was time for a change.
I can't believe it.
You swore you were gonna let them grow to your toes.
Well, I think she looks beautiful without them.
Steve Dwyer.
Joanie.
I think she looks stunning regardless of how she wears her hair.
How's things with your family?
It's been, what, two years since that Thanksgiving.
Did they come around?
They didn't.
I'm sure they're fine.
Well, um, I don't wanna miss the trailers.
Yeah.
But I'm rooting for you and your family.
Life is too short to hold on to grudges, you know?
It's good seeing you, Benny.
Take care of yourself.
You too.
Come on.
- Let's get the hell outta here. - Wait, what's wrong?
Have you any idea how fucking humiliating that was?
The way you just stood there gaping like an idiot!
You didn't even introduce me!
It's like--
It's like you were ashamed of me.
What? No!
I was just surprised to see her, that's all.
I have introduced you to everyone I know.
I guess when it's about your career, you're happy to be showboated,
but when it comes to introducing me to your friends--
Baby, I am sorry. I did not mean to make you feel any--
You still have feelings for her, don't you?
I don't. I'm with you.
- I love you-- - Come on, Benny!
Just admit it. It's so fucking obvious.
- You're still in love with her! - I am not!
Steven, you are acting like a fucking child!
You're ignoring me.
And do you blame me?
You won't answer my calls or...
text me back,
so I came to apologize in person.
Apologize for what?
I need you to say it.
For losing my temper.
And for getting so... angry at something so fucking stupid.
I disrespected you,
and you do not deserve that.
I've never got so upset before.
And it's only because I--
I love you.
And I don't wanna lose you.
I love you too.
- But you scared me. - I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry. It will never happen again.
I promise.
Hello?
Wait, what-- What's wrong?
What?
Of course.
I'll be there, I promise.
What's going on?
What is it?
My dad died.
I ghosted him for two years.
I thought that I was teaching him some lesson,
setting a-- setting a boundary.
Why didn't I just pick up the phone and fucking call him?
Because he hurt you.
We hurt each other.
And I always thought that we would figure out a way
to move past it, eventually. I-I didn't-- I didn't know
that I was-- I was running out of time.
You can't just forget everything that happened
and run back to your family like--
Like you weren't hurt by what they did.
What?
What are you saying? That I--
That I shouldn't go to the funeral?
They don't deserve you.
I have to be there for my family.
No, you don't.
Look, I want to be. Like, I've already missed so much.
I can't get that time back with my dad,
but maybe it's time that I-- that I fix things with them.
You know what's gonna happen.
You'll get hurt again,
and... I'll have to pick up all the pieces again!
You don't know that!
Yes. Yes, I do, Benny.
Because I'm the one who shows up.
Steve, this is not about you.
Yes, it is.
Because I'm the one who takes care of you,
pays your bills, supports your career.
I encourage your dreams!
But you don't fucking care!
That is not true.
This is about my family.
I'm your family!
I am going home,
- and I am going to the funeral-- - You just take and you take
- and you take, don't you? - I do not have to listen to this
You're an opportunistic, selfish dyke!
Stop!
Fuck!
Everything okay?
By, I think you were right about Dad.
I think he would've wanted to know the truth about Scotland.
He could've helped Mom through it.
And maybe without the stress
of all these secrets weighing on her,
maybe she'd still be here.
I don't wanna end up like that.
I came to Dad's funeral,
but I never got out of my car.
I couldn't face you or Mom with my face all...
bruised and swollen.
My ex-boyfriend, Steve,
he had hit me.
And it was bad.
It was really bad.
And I wanted to call you,
and I wanted to call Ma or the cops,
but I was just afraid.
Like, when I lost y'all,
Steve became my everything.
So I was afraid that if I called you,
that you wouldn't answer,
or worse,
that you would and you'd just reject me.
Reject you?
No.
If you had called, we would've brought you home.
I couldn't bear the thought
of disappointing everybody again.
Listen.
I am proud of you.
You got that piece of shit, Steve, out of your life.
I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you.
I should've had your back.
And I should've had your back.
You went through Dad's death, his funeral, and Mom,
on your own.
I needed you just as much as you needed me.
And I'm so sorry that I just couldn't realize-- I'm so--
I know.
I know that now.
B and B,
your father's funeral was the death of two dreams,
that Bert and I would grow old together
and that our family would, one day,
be made whole again by Benny's return.
I have to believe that we would've found our way back to each other
if time had been on our side.
That is why, my sweet girl,
I hope you absolve yourself
of whatever guilt you feel about missing the funeral.
Some promises are hard to keep.
B and B, I'm sharing this with you
because I now know how important it is
to lean on those you love.
Love brings the light
that will guide you out of your darkest moments.
Reuniting with your father was a miracle.
The life we made for ourselves,
our home, our family,
our sweet baby boy
and girl
were miracles on top of miracles.
Bert?
Oh, God.
Ohhh, my sweet Gibbs.
I promised myself I would take all of this with me to my grave.
I didn't want to burden you, my miracles,
with the weight of it.
But in doing that,
I lost a piece of myself,
I think.
Even now, it feels like... I'm drowning.
I wish I'd had the courage
to share the truth with you sooner
because that's what all three of my children deserve.
You heard me correctly.
A secret
I couldn't bring myself to even share with your father,
I'm now telling you.
B and B,
you have a sister.
Captioned by Point.360