03x13 - Listen

[bunniefuu]

- We want to foster you.

- I would really like that.

Previously on "A Million Little Things"...

I don't think I can be back in time for dinner.

I don't think she's at the office.

I'm looking for a few heavy hitters

to do some segments for my show.

I don't think that I want to condense helping people into five-minute segments.

You would be a great fit.

But I think it's good that you have someone.

Florence, it is really nice to meet you.

MADAME BERKNER: Oh, merci, Javi.

Let's hear it again for Javier Mendez.

- Javi?

- JAVIER: [LAUGHS]

Keke sent me this video.

♪♪ His name was George Floyd.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

Tyrell, will you get that, please?

Yeah, totally.

Hey.

No more phone.

My father-in-law and his bad knees

- are on the other side of that door.

- [DOORBELL RINGING]

♪♪ [DOOR OPENS]

Tyrell, hi.

Hi, honey.

- You good?

- [CHUCKLING]

Yes.

Good.

- Hi.

- You need me to look at your doorbell?

- 'Cause I rang it twice.

- [SIGHS]

Only twice?

You're welcome.

I am so sorry that we're late, but this one was circling the block trying to find a good spot.

Ooh.

What's the rush?

The country is still gonna be broken no matter what time you get to the protest.

Keke's one of the BLM youth organizers, so I can't be late.

Keke?

You mean the girl you're seeing and spending money on who refuses to be called your girlfriend?

That Keke?

I'm starting to understand why you didn't answer on the first ring.

I was thinking that maybe I should bring Theo with me to the protest today.

You know, it might be good for him to see what exercising social responsibility looks like instead of just hearing about it.

Yeah.

That's a good idea.

Maybe I should go, too.

Look, whatever happens as we move forward, I think it's important for Theo to still see us as a united front.

Plus, I just really want to be there to support our friends.

Okay.

Yeah.

Let's go together.

BILL: All I'm saying is, no matter what,

they are my parents.

And family support is a wonderful thing.

- Uh, but I think the question that your fiancée may be asking herself is, "If the in-laws are there for the proposal, then what are they not there for?"

BILL: Yes, exactly.

See, they'll always be right there.

Uh, Bill, I would love to continue, but, unfortunately, that is all the time we have.

So, uh, congratulations... and I hope the four of you have a very happy life together.

This has been "A Fix in Five" with Dr.

Maggie Bloom.

And you are...

off the air.

I told you after a couple weeks, you'd get the hang of this.

[SCOFFS]

Are you kidding me?

That was terrible.

You can't give sound mental health advice in five minutes.

I mean, I didn't even offer him any information on boundaries, which Bill clearly needs.

See?

You're helpful and entertaining.

And about the five minutes...

Dr. Stacy wants me to remind you that, and I quote, "You were hired to do a five-minute segment.

It's not a suggestion.

It's the time limit.

So please stick with it." She said "please"?

I added that part.

Yeah.

Okay, I'll s-see you later.

Keke said she's sorry she can't meet up at the restaurant to help us make posters, but she and the other organizers still need to set stuff up.

So, what I'm hearing is, once again, we're not gonna meet your fake girlfriend.

- REGINA: Oh!

- Wait, no.

She's a real person.

[LAUGHTER]

- Ahh.

- What?

No "good morning"?

Good morning, Pop.

[CHUCKLES]

Actually, you're just in time.

We were talking about why we're going today, and, Gina, you were up next.

Oh.

Okay.

[CHUCKLING]

Uh...

Actually, this is my first protest, and I'm going...

for my dad.

- That's really nice.

- [CHUCKLES]

How about you?

Have you been to a lot of protests?

Oh, yeah.

I've been going my whole life.

My parents took me to protest Vietnam when I was little, and they kept on till the w*r was over.

I still go to every one I can till this day.

Sounds like you got some competition there, big man.

You...

You been in a lot of protests, too?

Go on.

Tell him.

I'm not going to the damn protest.

I was just her ride.

I'm not wasting my time totin' around some sign, thinking throwing a bunch of paint on some poster board's gonna change the world.

That's a view.

If you can find a jackhammer big enough to break up the foundation of this country, then I'll go.

'Cause that's the only thing that's gonna make a difference.

[INHALES DEEPLY]

So, was it Walter's bright side that drew you in?

[LAUGHTER]

All I'm saying is, I fought for this country in Vietnam, came back to a bunch of kids protesting, and nothing being different.

I was drawn to him for a number of reasons.

Well, I think the people in charge need to see that our lives matter from as many people as possible.

I read an article this morning about George Floyd's daughter.

Her mom hasn't been able to tell her how he d*ed.

I mean, how do you explain that to a -year-old?

[SIGHS]

ROME: .

His daughter's .

♪♪ [CELLPHONE BUZZING]

Oh.

[CELLPHONE BEEPS]

Hey, man.

What's going on?

What's going on is, I made the mistake of falling in love with a woman before asking if she owned a fanny pack.

I know today's protest is about Black lives, but maybe we could, uh, organize a separate one to protest all the things that should have stayed in the ' s.

[LAUGHS]



Oh.

Uh-oh.

I can tell by your silence somebody else has a fanny pack.

[CHUCKLES]

Anyway, Gina asked us to get supplies.

Uh, anything specific you want us to do?

Want you to do?

Just wanted to see if there was a plan, uh, and if, uh, you know, you need anything.

If I need anything?

Feels like you're just repeating everything I'm saying, but in question form.

Yeah, because I'm wondering why you're asking me.

Y-You...

You understand that this isn't my protest, right?

Uh, yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, that...

That's why we're going.

Yeah, but please tell me you get that this is work that we all need to do, so you're gonna have to do more than just hitting up your Black friends so that you can be their plus-one, Gary.

I'm sorry.

Didn't mean to, uh...

I'm...

I'm just trying to help.

And the last time you tried to help,

I ended up in the back of a police car.

You know, I...

Actually, I gotta go.

[LINE BEEPS]

Is he all right?

I don't know.

I was just trying to make a plan...

Go to the protest and pepper in some of my delightful comic stylings.

It's a very emotional time.

A lot going on for him.

And for me.

I have a lady friend who wears a fanny pack.

- You know...

[SIGHS]

- Let's power through it, okay?

♪♪ REGINA: Hey.

♪♪ You okay?

No.

♪♪ I can't go to this protest.

♪♪ Hey.

Will you talk to me?

[FAUCET SHUTS OFF]

I don't trust myself right now, Gina.

George Floyd is never gonna see his daughter graduate from elementary school.

He's never gonna get to take her to a Daddy Daughter Dance.

His m*rder kind of feels like the last straw for me.

And...

all the talking I've been doing with Dr. Heller, I just...

I know...

that if a cop so much as blows a whistle wrong...

[INHALES DEEPLY]

Hey.

♪♪ I think you should do whatever you need to do.

♪♪ Hey, don't let me forget.

Theo wants us to pick up glitter.

You mean "multi-colored glitter." He texted me in case you messed up.

Ouch.

[CHUCKLES]

Speaking of messed up, are Eddie and Katherine really both going today?

I don't know if you saw the news, but other people are gonna be there.

Yeah, I know that, but with everything that's happened...

And I'm not just talking about the divorce...

- The...

- The what?

What are you talking about?

Nothing.

Unless...

Unless you know what I'm talking about.

- I know everything.

- Well, then, why don't you say it?

Well, I'm gonna need to hear you say it before I say it because I don't know if we have the same level of security clearance.

I knew you knew something.

Spill it, Mendez.

All right.

Katherine kissed...

Alan!

I know!

What is...

What?

I...

[CHUCKLES]

So, is your security clearance high enough to open this cage?

Come on, Tyrell!

TYRELL: Coming!

REGINA: All right, baby, we're headed out.

ROME: All right.

We're gonna go change the world.

You guys enjoy watching "SportsCenter".

Hey, Tyrell, hold on for a sec.

I need to talk to you before you go.

[MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON TELEVISION]

Okay.

Okay, we'll, um, wait for you by the elevators.

Okay.

I need to talk to you about today...

What to expect, how to handle yourself.

- I know what you're gonna say.

- No, you don't.

Yeah, you're gonna tell me how to be with the police.

- I know all this.

- Yeah, well, I need to know that you heard it from me, so you're gonna shut up and listen for a second, okay?

When you are out there today, you are gonna see some things...

that anger you.

Do not engage the police.

Don't even talk to 'em.

You stay as close to Regina and Florence as you can.

I know your phone's usually charged, but double check it, triple check it.

And you contact me if anything happens.

There are police out there looking for a reason to take your life.

Young man, do not give them a reason.

Your job is not to be a hero today.

Your job is to come home.

♪♪ Okay.

I'll be careful.

Good.

Now, go change the world.

♪♪ [DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

Well, Tiffany, it's a tough time, and feeling anxious is natural, even for those of us who usually aren't.

Uh, one way to help manage anxiety is exercise.

TIFFANY: I actually really enjoy running.

Me, too.

I went for a run this morning.

Yeah.

But after learning about Ahmaud Arbery,

I just don't feel safe doing it.

[VOICE BREAKING] And I'm not sleeping well

because I keep thinking about Breonna Taylor.

What happened to her happened in her bed.

As a Black woman, I don't feel safe in my own body...

anywhere, especially right now,

- and I-I don't know how to fix it.

- [WHISPERING]

I'm really sorry.

Uh, do you have a therapist?

I-I met with a couple people, but none of them felt right.

It just didn't feel like we have the same life experiences.

I-I think it would help you to have a-a therapist

- who could validate and support you.

- Oh, gosh.

I actually have a colleague that I think that you would really like.

- [CELLPHONE BUZZES]

- Really?

In addition to being an exceptional therapist...

Dr. Madison is also a Black woman,

and so I think that she might be able to identify with you more closely.

Uh, let me give you her number.

It's...

I had to cut you off seconds ago.

I'm really sorry, but Dr.

Stacy was...

vocal.

W...

D-Do you at least have a contact for Tiffany?

I want to give her my colleague's information.

Well, Dr.

Stacy doesn't really like when people try to do that sort of thing.

What sort of thing?

Helping people?

I...

Mm.

I'm sorry.

I just...

I need to talk to Dr.

Stacy myself.

Is that something you might want to do after hours?

- Hey, Gary.

- Gina.

Darce and I are setting up with Ed, Katherine, and Theo.

I gotta grab the rest of the stuff from my car.

"Oh, we can help you"...

- I'm Florence, by the way.

- Oh, I know who you are.

We've heard all about you.

Welcome to the family.

I'm Gary... the popular, funny stepson.

- After you.

- Yeah.

- Just wait up, Gary.

- Yeah.

Um...

just, with everything going on...

R-Rome was... was worried...

that today might be too much for him.

Oh.

Yeah, so, he's not coming.

Yeah, okay.

I just don't think I can limit everything I have to say

- to one sign.

- Well, then, don't.

Wait, wait, wait.

Hold on, Mom.

Stop.

- I don't see any...

- Glitter?

Ah, you are the best.

Apparently, glitter's the best, but I'm a close second.

[LAUGHS]

♪♪ Alan!

Hey.

Um...

Tyrell invited me to join him and Regina at the protest.

I didn't...

I didn't realize so many people would be here.

Hm.

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

Well, um... today is about as many people coming together as possible, right?

Totally.

It's all about the numbers.

Worked for the bus boycott, and it's gonna work here.

Now, I just need a bigger set of hands to get this glitter open.

Okay.

I'll get that for you, pal.

Here we go.

I can handle that.

[CHUCKLES]

How are you feeling about today?

Whew.

Anxious.

Nervous.

And heartbroken.

Mm.

And to be honest, a little ashamed that this is my first protest.

The important thing is that you're here now.

Yeah.

[CHUCKLES]

But I-I should have gotten involved a long time ago.

I just felt like my whole life, I've been straddling two worlds.

After my parents got divorced, I went to mostly all-white schools, was raised by... mainly by my mom and her side of the family.

I [SIGHS]

didn't know how to fit in half the time, let alone be political or...

I'd experience racism in school, and then go home to my mom, who looked just like the people who hurt me.

I didn't know how to articulate what it was like for me.

You know, and I didn't want to hurt her or worry her.

But in not saying something, it felt like I wasn't being true to my other half.

Is that why you said you were going for your father?

Yeah.

And not just him...

His entire side of the family.

To make them proud.

To prove to them that I haven't forgotten who I am.

You're also going for you, Gina.

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

This is yours, too.

I know.

[BREATHES SHARPLY]

[SIGHS]

But sometimes, I feel like I don't have the right to say that.

Yeah.

Which is why I said it.

[CHUCKLES, SNIFFLES]

[CHUCKLES]

[PATTING THIGH]

♪♪ - I'll be back.

- Yeah.

Hey, Alan, can you help me glue this?

I'm too young to use a glue g*n, and glitter won't stick on its own.

Um...

Yeah.

Yeah.

Come around here.

Uh-oh.

ALAN: Alright.

You ready for this?

Now, just put that down.

Be really careful.

Hey, if you want, I can just ask him to leave.

No.

That would just make Theo have more questions.

ALAN: Perfect.

It still needs a little more glitter.

More glitter?

All right.

- When in doubt, more glitter, right?

- Not enough.

- I like to live dangerously.

Okay.

- [LAUGHS]

TYRELL: Yeah.

Okay.

Okay.

That was Keke.

She said Boston Common is already packed, so we should get going if we still want to find them.

Uh...

people are still working on their posters.

No problem.

I can just head out now and see you guys when you get there?

Hold up!

You think that we're gonna come all the way here and not meet the famous Keke, who may or may not be your boo?

[LAUGHS]

REGINA: [BREATHES DEEPLY]

Lead the way, young man.

[SCOFFS]

[CHUCKLING]

I'll tell the others we're going ahead.

[MOUTHING WORDS]

♪♪ Last one!

There's one more sign left!

- Who wants it?

You want it?

- Where are Gina and Rome?

Yeah.

There we go.

Hold it high, not just because the glitter's not dry yet.

People love your posters, T.

They went really fast.

Yeah.

Uh...

I have to go to the bathroom.

Theo, I specifically asked...

Sorry, Mom.

When you asked, I was focused on justice.

- All right.

We'll meet you back here.

- Sure, yeah.

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING IN DISTANCE]

[SIGHS HEAVILY]

Beautiful day, huh?

It's the best.

[CLEARS THROAT]

CROWD: No peace!

This is a caller who really needs someone that can identify with her lived experience.

Okay, listen, Maggie, that's not the point.

Whether your friend is good or not,

we're not going to give out free promotion.

Ads are how radio stations make money,

which is how I pay your salary.

You got it?

Got it.

Good.

Great use of my lunch break, Claudia.

Thanks.

♪♪ [HEADPHONES THUMP]

[SIGHS]

Well, in addition to real estate, I do a lot of work with immigration, which is how I met Tyrell, and I work with this AAPI group trying to combat v*olence, which has really gone up this year.

And I also teach this kind of kickboxing class on the [CHUCKLING]

side, but that's just for fun.

I'm also an avid runner.

Wow, you really pack it in.

Yeah, what else?

Um, there's...

Hey.

Where's, uh...

Where's Theo?

What do you mean?

You took him to the bathroom.

Yeah, but then I decided to go and he said he was gonna come back and meet you guys.

Oh, my God.

- Theo!

- Maybe...

Maybe he stopped along the way.

I'm gonna check.

You guys wait here.

Yeah.

Okay, we'll call if we see him, okay?

- Okay.

Theo!

- Theo!

- Theo!

- T!

- KATHERINE: Theo!

- Theo!

Theo!

- Theo!

- T!

Hey.

Hey, hey.

Isn't...

Isn't that one of his signs over there?

And judging on the amount of glitter, I'd say yeah.

Thank you!

♪♪ Oh.

There's my dad.

[SIGHS]

Theo.

There you are.

Uh, I think he headed in the wrong direction and lost sight of you.

- Oh, no.

I'm not...

- No, that's my dad.

Alan's just my mom's friend.

Hey.

What's going on?

Um, sorry.

My mistake.

Thank you.

He thought you were my dad.

[LAUGHS]

♪♪ Yeah.

[LAUGHS]

Ha-ha...

♪♪ Rome, sit down.

And not just because you're blocking the TV.

[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

You're being too hard on yourself.

[SIGHS]

Nothing wrong with sitting this one out.

Waste of time, anyway.

There's nothing I would like more than to be out there right now.

[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

When Gina and I were trying to adopt Eve's baby...

it felt so right.

Like...

I was meant to help a child navigate being Black in America.

[SIGHS]

Maybe it's best I'm not his dad.

I heard what you said to Tyrell.

It was perfect.

Oh, I'm just repeating what you used to say to me.

Like I said... perfect.

But I should be there with him.

Right now.

But I can't.

And it's not because of what might happen today or what might happen tomorrow.

It's because of what might happen a month from now.

A year from now.

What are you talking about?

I was reading about this dude.

He was a protestor out in Ferguson.

On the front lines.

A hero, showing his kids by example.

Three years later, he k*lled himself.

And you think it was because he went to a protest?

No, I think it's because of what followed him home from the protest, Pop.

The only reason it didn't get me last time is because I got lucky.

And as I've been dealing with my depression, I'm realizing it's not just something I'm pre-disposed to.

It's this country.

This world and all the things...

All the things, every day, making me feel like an unwanted guest in my own home.

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

Believe me, I understand.

Mm?

I was years old when your grandfather showed me Emmett Till's photo in Jet magazine.

It's still there.

b*rned into my mind.

I've been looking at this a whole lot longer than you.

I saw it here, I saw it in Vietnam, and I came back home and saw it over and over and over again.

That's what it's meant to be us.

To live feeling like death is breathing on your back.

And they're still out there thinking posters can fix that.

I never knew you felt like that.

Didn't want you to know.

Maybe I was wrong for that.

Well, I feel like I have a responsibility to see Tyrell do this and make sure that everything I know he's feeling doesn't get the best of him.

- [SIGHS]

- [LIGHT CLATTERING]

I'm scared for him, Pop.

All right.

Where you going?

We were just having a moment.

I got a protest to get to.

I thought you didn't believe in that.

I don't.

I'm not going to protest.

I'm going to be there for you.

♪♪ DR. STACY: You need to get busy making tons of stuff.

You have Joan from Hartford who is worried people treat her differently for being too pretty.

MAN: ... with Dr. Maggie Bloom, from her studio



- in Boston, Massachusetts.

- Is that...

Is this real?

The caller or the problem?

Oh!

You're on.

Uh, you're listening to "A Fix in Five" with Dr. Maggie Bloom, and my caller for this segment is, um...



[WHISPERING]

Joan from Hartford.

Too pretty.

Actually, uh, I'm...

I'm not going to take a caller.

Instead, I want to let you know that this is going to be my last segment.



A therapist has to be able to spend the time it takes

to provide real solutions,

and five-minute segments don't allow me to do that.

So, let me just say this very quickly.

Tiffany, I am sorry that we got cut off earlier, but if you are still listening, please reach out to me so that you can get the help that you deserve.

Okay.

Signing off for the last time, uh, two and a half minutes early, I might add.

This has been "A Fix in Five" with Dr.

Maggie Bloom.

[BUTTON CLICKS, COMPUTER BEEPS]

[SIGHS]

I have Dr.

Stacy calling for you.

Um, tell her I don't have the time.

♪♪ [EXHALES DEEPLY]

Don't slow down, Dad.

Only two more blocks.

Hey, I'm really sorry about what happened back there.

When Tyrell invited me, I didn't realize you and your family would be there.

- I didn't mean to...

- It's okay, Alan, really.

[HORN HONKING]

[CLEARS THROAT]

But, um...

I think it might be best if we kept our distance for a little while, so the next time I see you, I can actually see you.

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]

Yeah, about that.

Uh, I probably should tell you.

I've kinda started seeing someone else.

Oh.

My goldfish.

[CHUCKLES]

I mean, at this point, she's staying over every night.

Ha-ha.

Hilarious.

Deep down inside, I know it was the right decision, but...

doesn't make the fact that I'm sitting here on my sofa any less frustrating.

MAGGIE: I hear you.

And what you're saying makes a lot of sense.

I'm really proud of you for putting

your mental health first.

- Yeah, thanks, Maggie.

I...

- [CELLPHONE BEEPING]

Hey, Maggie, can I call you back?

Yeah, sure. No problem.

Hey, Pop.

Is everything okay?

WALTER: Rome?

Dad, can you hear me?

Rome, she got hurt!

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

What?

W-Who?

Who?

Florence?

Regina.

They're taking her to the hospital now.

You better get here.

♪♪ ♪♪

- TYRELL: Rome!

- Tyrell, where is she?

They're looking at her right now.

I'm telling you, Rome, we were marching peacefully.

The cops just started pepper-spraying everybody, so we started running.

This older guy, he tripped, Gina went to help him up, and this cop pushed her down with his nightstick.

- Her head hit the pavement.

- Oh, my God.

Rome, we tried.

They won't let anyone in.

Wait, you're not with Gina?

Hey.

Uh, excuse me, sir, my wife, Regina Howard, she's inside.

I need to see her.

Sorry.

No visitors beyond this point.

- You're gonna have to wait outside.

- No, no.

You don't understand.

I-I...

She got hurt in the protests.

I am sorry, but because of COVID restrictions, we can only let people needing medical attention inside.

Well...

Well, in that case, I'm dying of a heart att*ck.

- Sir...

- I'm trying to tell you as nicely as possible, I need to see my wife!

- Hey, Rome, come over here.

- Look, I am not going anywhere

- until I see Gina!

- But, R-Rome, come on.

Can I please see my wife?!

Just shut up for a second and listen to me.

Come on.

Pull out your phone, okay?

I just gave one of the nurses your phone number.

She's gonna call you any second.

Just stand over here where the cell service is good, and you'll be able to see Gina.

There she is now.

Thank you.

We'll be waiting right here.

Thank you.

Okay, man, I'll just keep trying...

I guess.

Yeah.

[CELLPHONE BEEPS]

Albert says Gina hasn't come back.

Yeah, Ed and Katherine are headed home with Theo.

They haven't heard from her, either.

What do we do?

Do we...

Should we go look for them?

No.

Once you establish a rally point, you stick to it.

[METAL CLANKS]

Wow.

That was very sexy.

Oh, was it?

- And she peeled off her fanny pack?

- Yeah.

[CHUCKLES]

Later on, I'm gonna give you the highest level security clearance.

Mm-hmm.

[CHUCKLES]

- Today was a day, huh?

- Mm-hmm.

You know, I'm surprised at how many people showed up.

[SIGHS]

I mean, that was incredible, right?

Yeah.

It's too bad Rome couldn't make it.

He was so angry with me this morning.

[SCOFFS]

Hm.

Hey, can I ask you something?

Your dad calls you Junior, and during that talent show, they called you Javi.

I call you Gary.

[SIGHS]

What's up with that?

Yeah.

That's fair.

[CLEARS THROAT]

[SNIFFLES]

I was born Javier Mendez, Jr.

I'm my father's son, and I'm proud of it.

As you recently experienced firsthand, there is a lot of my dad in me, but unlike him, people don't assume that I'm Mexican... ever.

Until they realize he is my dad.

Well, I wasn't % sure until I met him.

[CHUCKLES]

Before he, uh, drove a truck, he was a custodian at my elementary school.

And at first it was awesome, right?

'Cause we could say hi to each other in the hallway every day.

But then the other kids figured out who he was.

And that's when the jokes started.

♪♪ It was very r*cist and awful.

- Kids can be so mean.

- Kids are the worst.

Yeah.

Except, of course, for Liam, who is top-notch.

[CHUCKLES]

That's a good save.

It's the summer before middle school.

I go off to camp, right?

And I have this counselor who is awesome.

He makes everybody laugh.

He doesn't care what anybody thinks.

He knows all the words to "Ice Ice Baby".

[CHUCKLES]

- And his name...

- Was Gary.

No.

No, his name was Vanilla Ice.

Yeah, that's why he knew all the words to the song...

- It was...

it was...

it was his song.

- Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, it was Gary.

♪♪ So, summer ends, and, uh, I show up...

First day at a new school.

I got there early, and I found my homeroom teacher, and I tell her that, uh...

there's a typo on the attendance sheet.

Where it says "Javier", it should say "Gary".

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

When I brought my first report card home, I remember my dad saying, "How can they evaluate you if they don't even know your name?"

♪♪ And the look on my face...

told him everything.

♪♪ He didn't get mad.

He just nodded and, uh...

understood why I had done what I did.

♪♪ He hasn't called me Javi since.

Not once.

It's always Junior.

♪♪ And a whole lot of Mijo.

[CHUCKLES]

♪♪ I think...

that my dad just wanted to give his half-Mexican son the best sh*t of making it...

in a pretty White world.

♪♪ Hmm.

Maybe that's why Rome was so upset.

How?

I've...

I've never told him that story.

He doesn't know about my name.

- He...

- No, but, um...

he knows you get to choose.

♪♪ Right.

GINA: Yes, Rome. I'm fine.

[BREATHES SHARPLY]

Although, I think maybe they need to test me again,

because I don't remember buying such a fancy phone case.

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]

Babe, you're using the nurse's cellphone.

I knew that.

I'm fine, babe.

I promise.

[SIGHS]

But she was so nice to let me use her phone.

Thank you, man.

ROME: So, tell me what happened.

[SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]

You okay?

No.

If I had gotten to the protest five minutes sooner...

Then you'd both be laying in hospital beds right now.

It was nice to see you at a protest.

Well, that's a nicer greeting than you would've given me when I came back from 'Nam.

We weren't supposed to be there in the first place.

My brother was also there.

And he wasn't lucky enough to come back.

I didn't know.

I'm sorry.

Sometimes I wonder if [BREATHES SHARPLY]

we had started protesting earlier and louder, if he'd still be here.

And I would also like to think that because of our efforts, we got you home.

Thank you.

♪♪ [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

Okay.

She's okay.

She's being discharged.

That's good.

I'll give you two a minute.

Just get over there already.

What about you, son?

You okay?

[SNIFFLES]

[CRYING]

- [SOBBING]

- [SIGHS LIGHTLY]

Yeah.

Well, I'm glad you're alright, Gina.

Let us know if you need anything, okay?

Bye.

How is she?

[SIGHS]

Pretty banged up, but, I mean, they let her go home, so she must be okay.

Thanks for being so understanding about Alan.

I had no idea he was gonna be there.

I know.

And just so you know, I told him that we shouldn't see each other again for a while.

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

What is it?

I should've known about the mask.

When that kid in Theo's class said he needed to wear one, I should've known what that meant.

♪♪ I think my embarrassment over not knowing was part of the reason why I lost it on the front end of our neighbor's car.

[BREATHES SHARPLY]

♪♪ I've let you two down a lot lately.

- Eddie...

- No.

No, uh... I'm not saying that 'cause I want you to make me feel better about it.

I'm saying that because I should have said it before.

[LAPTOP RINGING]

[SIGHS]

[CLEARS THROAT]

[RINGING CONTINUES]

[RINGING STOPS]

Hey, Claudia.

Is everything okay?

I, uh, assumed since we were on Zoom that I didn't need to clean out my desk.

Dr. Stacy wanted me to inform you

that your on-air antics weren't taken lightly,

that you violated multiple company policies,

and that your services are no longer required.

Yeah, also, I quit.

[LAUGHS]

You totally did!

And she's super pissed.

[LAUGHS]

Which brings me to why I'm calling.

I just sent you Tiffany's contact info so you can send her your therapist recommendation.

And while I was doing that, I "accidentally" sent you a list of companies we've worked with that would love to sponsor a podcast like yours.

Wow.

Thanks.

Thank you.

I-I've been here for three years, and you're the first person I met who genuinely cares.

I knew you wouldn't last.

[LAUGHS]

[LAUGHS]

♪♪ ROME: Who is it?

Whatever version of Gary gets you to open the door.

[DOOR CREAKS]

- Hey.

- Hey.

Gina's fine, man.

You didn't need to come all the way over here.

Good.

I came to see you.

Oh?

Uh...

To say that I'm sorry.

I didn't realize until today...

[SIGHS]

When I knocked out that dude at Sophie's softball game last year, I didn't realize how much danger I was putting you in, and... and... and then you were good enough to explain it to me, and I still didn't get it.

[CHUCKLES]

Man, I got a lot of my own stuff that I have been avoiding for a long time, and...

I want to deal with it.

Coming here is the start...

The start...

of me trying to do better.

You're right.

Today's protest was not just for you.

It was for me, too.

I know that.

♪♪ A-And that's why I gotta tell you, I'm very...

very disappointed that you weren't there for me today, man.

[CHUCKLES]

Dude, you are an ass.

Which is the third reason that I'm here, is to make sure that you know that.

- Oh, yeah.

I-I do.

- Okay.

It's clear.

All right.

Uh, well, in that case, just, uh, do me a solid, and, uh, make sure my girlfriend's okay.

- Shut...

Leave.

Leave my house.

- Okay.

And, uh, y-you didn't really knock that dude out at the s-softball game.

You sucker punched the dude, and he got right back up.

He did not...

He didn't get right back up.

You got your ass b*at, dude.

Really.

[SCOFFS]

[INHALES DEEPLY]

Ah.

♪ No one, no one, no one ♪

Hey.

[SIGHS]

[HUMMING]

I, uh, talked to Maggie and Katherine and Darcy and Florence.

The first time I called Florence, I accidentally hit "Florist."

It took us a good seconds before either of us realized.

[BREATHES SHARPLY]

But on the plus side, we have "get well" calla lilies

[CHUCKLING]

arriving tomorrow morning.

[HUMMING CONTINUES]

Oh.

[CHUCKLING]

And...

And by the way, apparently I was so appreciative of the nurse who let me use her phone that I agreed to marry her.

[CHUCKLES]

We'll work it out.

♪♪ [SIGHS]

Okay, just...

say it, Rome.

Just say, "I knew something bad would happen today."

♪♪ I had to be there.

So, whatever it is you have to say, just say it.

Okay.

When I got the call from my dad that you were hurt, I got a tiny glimpse of what it must have been like for you to find my su1c1de note.

To have to wonder what it would be like if I just was suddenly gone.

And I am so sorry to put you through that.

We have been through so much together.

But you said it best...

You are not the best part of my life.

Regina Howard, you are my life.

And I love you...

more than anything in this world.

[BREATHES SHARPLY]

I love you so much.

♪ I know ♪

♪ People will try, try to divide something so real ♪

I'm so glad we got this king-size bed.

'Cause I-I really don't know where else the nurse would fit.

Be quiet.

[LAUGHS]

♪ The way of what I feel for you ♪