02x14 - The Father's Will

[bunniefuu]

What's up with you and Darius?

GRACE: Previously on Greenleaf...

Yeah, we're taking a break.

Call Darius. Breaks are for punks.

Tickets to Floodgate?

That's the same weekend as my cotillion.

- You do this instead.
- I don't want to.

- [tires squeal]
- [yells out]

- That hurt!
- Did it to yourself.

ZORA: Take me home.

TASHA: They b*at up my Basie.

The people that he owes money to.

( sobs ) They b*at him up bad.

I need your help.

CHARITY: Jabari, what are we doing?

- JABARI: Making music.
- No!

- Us.
- What about us?

Do you like me or what?

All I say is I have sinned against God.

- [audience gasps]
- Good news is,

Jacob Greenleaf, an honest man.

And that's why I'm handing
this ministry over to him.

He's the leader you all deserve.

Where's Basie?

I tried my best to get him to stay.

How could a man run off and leave a
woman as loyal as this in a lurch?

You have a message from Bishop
Jeffries on the voicemail.

I'll call him back later, thank you.

- Hmm.
- JEFFRIES: Mae.

MAE: Don't say anything, please.

- Hello?
- JEFFRIES: James.

- It's Lionel.
- There's something

we need to talk about.

In person.

[Jeffries sighs] This
isn't easy for me, James.

JAMES: Lionel, just go ahead
and speak your peace.

JEFFRIES: I feel like
I owe you an apology

ahead of time.

Because what I'm about to say

could shake the very
foundation of your family

the way it has shaken mine.

Just say it.

[sighs] Aaron is gay.

[exhales] Oh, my Lord.

I feel the same way.

How did you find out?

Well, the way I found out was,

we recently lost our chief council

back in Charlotte to a stroke.

And it occurred to me
it would be a pleasure

to give Aaron the job.

Well, what a pleasant thought.

So, I took it upon myself,

foolishly, I now see,

to fly down to Montgomery

and surprise him with the offer.

- Oh, no.
- Wait.

Aaron's living in Montgomery now?

JEFFRIES: Yes, he took a job

with the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Well, that's impressive.

- Impressive.
- Yes.

When he opened the door to the apartment

and saw me there,

he immediately behaved rather oddly.

Now, I know it was early,

but he's always been an early riser,

so I knew that wasn't the problem.

And then it became apparent
that he had a visitor.

And I got this distinct impression

that I had interrupted something.

That visitor was Kevin.

- You knew about this?
- No, no.

No. No.

We've known Kevin's gay,

but Aaron and Kevin?

No, of course not.

They're living together?

No, no.

He's living in Montgomery now?

- Let's hear what he has to say.
- Just visiting

from Memphis for the weekend.

In a one bedroom.

- [groans]
- Mm.

[sighs]

I guess I didn't have to come here

to tell you this in person after all.

No, we're glad you did. We are.

So, how did you leave it with Aaron?

- Are you two talking or...
- No.

[sighs] He will not listen to reason.

According to him, he was born gay.

Mm.

James, I need you to talk to him.

- Me?
- You have a way with him.

He trusts you. You know that.

And with Patrice gone,

strange to say,

he's all I got left.

Of course.

Thank you.

♪ Amen ♪

[vocalizing]

♪ Amen ♪

[vocalizing]

♪ Well ♪

[vocalizing]

♪ Amen, amen ♪

[vocalizing]

[sighs]

[Kerissa moans]

- Hey.
- [laughs]

Wow.

- [groans]
- Can't remember the last time

you woke me up like that.

Well, it's your first day
as senior pastor, pastor,

and I wanted to get you
off to a good start.

I don't remember that being part

of the benefits package,
but I'll take it.

[laughs] Gladly.

What time is the staff meeting?

Mm, about : , : .

I don't know, Britney
didn't seem to really care.

Oh, well, it must be nice
to have some leeway.

[scoffs] We're gonna have to get that

- straightened out.
- [chuckles]

- Yeah, I guess so.
- [groans]

I know a lot of people
are gonna have some questions.

- I know I will.
- [line ringing]

- WOMAN: Excellence Prep.
- Hi.

I am going to be coming
into the office late today,

but I will be available
on my cell phone.

- WOMAN: Oh, yes, of course, Kerissa.
-[giggles]

I'll let everybody know.

- By lunch?
- Yes.

Definitely by chapel.

[whispers] Definitely by chapel.

Okay, thank you.

WOMAN: You, too.

- Ow!
- [moans]

[chuckles] What you got going on today?

- I'm coming with you.
- Oh, yeah?

Is that okay?

Yeah, it just hadn't occurred to me.

Well, you said that folks had questions.

Well, it's the perfect time
for the new first lady

to set a tone.

I couldn't agree more.

[chuckles]

Oh, s... hey.

See, that's... the way work works

is if you do what you love for your job,

then that means...

what you love turns into work.

And you can do something
else for your job,

but that means you have less
time to do what you love.

- A lot less time.
- [computer rings]

Hey, there!

What's up?

JABARI: Good news.

Is it fit for little ears,

because I am sitting here

with my very handsome manager?

[chuckles] It's about Tamela Mann.

Oh. She want to record my song?

No, better.

Look, I'm sorry about
what happened to Kevin

and how you and Lady Mae
had to find out.

I just... I didn't mean
to cause trouble.

Well, thank you for saying that.

It certainly isn't the way
I would've done anything,

- but...
- Me neither, in retrospect.

But to be clear, Kevin made
his own choices since then,

and we don't hold you
accountable for any of that.

He's having a hard time.

I can't see how he couldn't be

so far from his only son.

Must seem like hell.

Bishop?

- Yes?
- Before we go in there.

I can't change who I am.

I can't not be gay.

You know that, right?

Aaron, what I know is

only God knows the heart.

Kings : .

[sighs] Look, if Jacob were
to tell you he was gay,

would you still treat him this way?

- [exhales]
- Like he committed some kind of crime?

No, probably not.

Then please, tell my father that.

He'll listen to you.

Look, why don't we all just sit down

and not get ahead of ourselves?

The Lord's gonna find a way

for us all, amen?

I don't know.

- I hope so.
- No, no, no.

Let's just claim it,

and He will.

- Come on.
- Okay.

CHARITY: Mama.

Mama, I need your help.

- MAE: What?
- Hi, Little Bit.

- Gigi, can you hold him for a second.
- Oh, gladly.

[stutters] Now, how might
I be of assistance?

- Now, just remember to breathe.
- Okay.

- You know, brain needs air.
- [laughs]

Tamela Mann asked me
to sing backup for her

on her national tour.

- Seriously?
- Yes!

Jabari just called to tell me.

Oh, my gosh, congratulations!

- Thank you.
- Well, what about Nathan?

Well, that's the point.

So, Jabari said the tour
would pay for a nanny,

but outside of you the only person

I'm comfortable with would be Maricel.

For long periods of time.

No, no, I get it, don't worry.

Could you part with her?

Well, have you asked her about this?

No, I wanted to check with you first.

Well, now, she has a job

and a life of her own

and a daughter,

but... well, I don't know.

How long will it be?

Ten weeks.

On the road with a baby?

Mama, that is basically two months.

Ooh, I remember when your father
was an itinerant preacher,

and we would just lug Gigi
and Jacob from town to town.

It almost k*lled all four of us.

- Mama.
- Mama.

- Hmm?
- Come on, this is a great opportunity.

- Thank you.
- Well, it doesn't feel big to me.

Can I at least ask Maricel?

I have long stopped daring to imagine

what people are capable of,

so you just machinate on.

- Thank you, Mama. Mwah.
- [laughing]

- Oh!
- [babbling]

- Are you ready?
- You just keep in mind, now...

- [phone dings]
- ...that the only way

you could have this conversation

was that you could hand
that child to your sister,

and it won't be like that on the road.

Love you. [laughs]

- Congratulations.
- Thank you.

Just seems like a lot of moving pieces

to sing backup.

Oh, just pray about it.

Just pray about it, it's all right.

Hmm. Who is that?

- It's Darius.
- Oh.

He was just running the
menu by me for tonight.

- He's cooking.
- Well, that's thoughtful.

It is. It is.

So, let us speak our minds,

listen,

and try to find the will of the Father.

Amen?

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

BRITNEY: We're just so
happy that you're back.

- [Kerissa scoffs]
- We all knew what a good thing

you had going with your old church.

Oh, well, this is good, too, though.

Where's Tasha's office?

Just next door to Jacob's.

How convenient.

You're gonna keep Tasha on

as head of Music Ministry, I hope.

Whatever Sister Skanks wants to do,

- we're here to help her do it.
- Praise God.

I think having the work has
been a welcome distraction.

I'm sure. Poor thing.

You're not gonna find another
voice like that either.

Powerful.

[sighs]

Thank you.

Anything else, pastor?

No, we're good.

- Thanks.
- Then I'll go marshal the troops.

KERISSA: Britney?

If you run into Tasha,

can you tell her I'm looking for her?

- Of course.
- Thank you.

Kerissa?

- What?
- So, Britney is the treasurer.

She's not my assistant.

Call Tasha yourself.

I did, twice.

She didn't answer.

How many times do I have to tell you?

Romans explicitly says...

- I know what Romans says, Dad.
- Then what are you doing?

What are you doing
flouting God's holy word?

The Bible also says

"Judge not lest ye be judged."

- [sighs]
- Doesn't it?

Yes, it does.

And "God is love." It says that too.

- Yes, it says that as well.
- Who's side are you on here?

Look, I'm not on anybody's side.

Well, you should get on the side of God.

At least, 'cause
that's where I'm capped.

- [chuckles]
- Don't you laugh at me.

Aaron, what's really more important

than quoting Bible verse
after Bible verse

is the fact that...

your father cares enough
about this relationship

that he asked me to bring you here

so we could work this out.

But there's no working this out

unless he accepts me
for the way that I am.

The way that you are is unacceptable!

- Lionel.
- To who?

You?

Do you not love me at all?

Yes, I love you.

Or I'd leave you in this mess of a life

you're making for yourself

and just walk away.

We are here because I love you.

Why don't we take five?

Okay?

Great.

[sighs]

You know, I was hoping
you'd be in my corner

a little bit more, James.

Look...

Lionel, you're behaving just like

the boy always thought you would.

No wonder he kept it a secret.

Who would choose this?

You guys already know what you're doing,

so I figure, if it ain't
broke, don't fix it.

- [all chuckling]
- There is one thing

I do want to sprinkle in
to start, though,

and that is when Kerissa and
I were doing Real Church,

we met some amazing people.

And we need them here at Triumph.

Not because I say so,

but because that's how
Jesus would do it.

[quiet chatter]

- Amen?
- ALL: Amen.

See if you can get some piano
movers out to the mansion.

- Yes, ma'am.
- I want the girls to have space

to practice their dancing,

but I'm worried
we could break another leg

on that old grand
if we move it ourselves.

- Yes, ma'am.
- Yeah, and file that away for me.

- Okay?
- Okay.

Hey.

Hey, I was coming to hunt you down.

- How's it going?
- Not well.

Come over.

And Lionel's more than a little

disappointed in me for it.

Well...

[sighs]

If Aaron isn't going to listen to reason

- from two upstanding Christians...
- Well, that's the thing, Mae.

My idea of reason on this

and Lionel's are a little bit different.

You don't condone Aaron's behavior.

I'm not sure this is mine to condone

or not condone.

I mean, he's Lionel's son.

And practically family.

And he drove Kevin from our house

in a cloud of shame and confusion.

I mean, honestly, the boy is not Moses.

And Lionel's no Jesus.

Believe me, if Jacob were gay,

we would handle this a lot
differently than he has.

I mean, the boy is not gonna change.

Then it is Lionel
who deserves your sympathy

and not Aaron.

I mean, he's not your child.

He's not Faith.

I'm sorry.

You know, I think what I should do

is go to Charity and catch
her up on all of this

before someone else does.

Mm-hmm. Yeah.

[gasps] James?

Come.

Thanks.

[door opens, closes]

- [Jacob sighs]
- [approaching footsteps]

BRITNEY: Pastor Greenleaf?

Yeah, hey.

So, you think that meeting went well?

Better than okay. Brilliant.

Thanks. It felt good.

- I just want to caution you.
- Please.

Not everyone knows
the financial situation

here the way we do.

Probably for the best. [chuckles]

- Or how it came to be.
- What's your point?

It may be better to wait
on your Real Church

integration a year or two.

Not everyone might see us spending money

on a new program

when we haven't even... you know.

It'll just be a few shuttles.

Just start slow.

My advice, take it or leave it.

- I'll take it...
- Thank you.

...under consideration.

It's all I expect.

That's perfect.

If she's babysat
professionally, then I'm in.

[laughs] Thank you.

- [knocking]
- Okay, bye.

Come in.

Is it a bad time?

How can I help you?

Isn't that how you used to
start your conversations

when you were working here?

And living at our house?

And representing me in my divorce?

How can I help you?

I just wanted to say that I'm sorry.

For what?

Can you even say it?

I couldn't.

For being a part of something

that has made so many people unhappy.

Including Kevin.

[scoffs] Kevin should be unhappy.

And I'm only talking about one thing.

One thing.

His son.

He left his son without a father.

- And I think he feels...
- I don't care how he feels!

All I care about is keeping this world

in one piece for my son.

And for myself.

You know, if this whole
thing were turned around

and I was a lesbian...

I would still be a mother.

The thing is he's ashamed.

And every day that he stays away,

- he just feels...
- [exhales]

I said I don't care how he feels!

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I got work to do.

Okay. Yeah.

WOMAN: Do you want me to
come and stay with you?

Thank you for the offer, but no.

WOMAN : Well, look, whatever
we can do, you just let us know.

- We're here for you.
- And I appreciate you ladies so much.

- So, thank you. I really do.
- Girl.

- Pardon.
- Oh, hey.

-[stutters] Can I just have a sec?
- WOMAN : Oh, we're sorry.

We'll leave the two of you and
let you do your business.

- You take care of yourself now, okay?
- I will, I will.

- Thank you, ladies. Thank you.
- No problem.

[sighs]

So, how you holding up?

Well, you know, you know.

Doing all right.

It's nice to come
to work and see friends.

I just feel like all I do now

was walk around the condo all day

and then circle back
around to Basie's shoes.

He only took one pair of shoes.

- Oh, my goodness.
- Yeah.

Well, listen, Jacob and I want you to
come to dinner at the parsonage tonight.

Really? Oh, Kerissa, that
would mean everything to me.

You know y'all are the only ones

I have to talk to about all this mess,

- and it's just...
- Well, then, it's a date.

- : p.m.
- Perfect, thank you.

WOMAN: Excuse me, First Lady?

BOTH: Yes?

I meant First Lady Skanks.

Oh, of course.

- I'll see you tonight.
- Yes.

And what shall I bring?

Well, just your beautiful self.

Oh. All right, I'll see you later.

I can't "un-know" what I know,

I can't "un-feel" what I feel.

Love me the way I am.

I do.

Well, then trust me.

Listen.

Why can't you just try to change?

Because I know that I can't!

Because I've tried

and tried and prayed
and prayed for years.

It just is.

It's just me.

- [scoffs]
- This is crazy.

I'm just gonna leave.

Go ahead, walk away.

Blame me.

I'm the bad guy here.

I love you, Dad.

- Good-bye.
- Aaron, wait. Just hold on.

I think I found the one good thing

about your mother leaving
us the way she did.

- She didn't have to know what her son...
- She knew.

She didn't know.

Yes, Dad, she did.

JEFFRIES: That's impossible.

She knew. I told her.

- When?
- When I was .

And she told me not to tell you

because you'd never
be able to handle it.

That's a lie!

No, it's not.

It's the truth.

And she knew about you, too.

All of 'em.

What are you talking about?

Just because you did it with women,

doesn't mean it wasn't sin.

I don't know what he's
talking about, I don't!

Honestly.

[scoffs] I'll make
my way back to Montgomery.

Thanks for trying.

This is crazy.

What's crazy, Lionel?

Crazy how a perverted mind

can perceive perversions
where it can't be found.

Yes, it is.

It's crazy.

I'm gonna go back to the house.

I'll see you there.

- [music playing]
- WOMAN: Let's go, ladies.

- Beautiful.
- I should've been the DJ.

You can't waltz to gospel trap.

It's trap gospel.

Look. [clears throat]

Okay.

- ♪ I luh God ♪
- Oh.

- ♪ You don't luh God? ♪
- Mm.

- ♪ What's wrong with you? ♪
- Oh!

[both laughing]

Wait, look at Suzette.

She basically begged Sam to be here.

- Like, stalked him.
- All right, you two.

Wait, how do you know that?

Somebody told me.

Hmm.

Where's Isaiah?

I see with the relevant
questions, but I don't know.

Well, rehearsal's about to start.

- I know.
- Well, I'm sure we can find

a spare dude around here somewhere.

Found one.

- Hey. Hey, I'm sorry I'm late.
- Yeah, I know.

Babe, come on.

Fix your face, cousin.

What? I said I'm sorry.

You know, it isn't sunny in here, so...

Babe, you know how people get.

Okay? I don't want
no one making a big deal

out of me being here when I'm
just trying to support my girl.

There. Happy?

- Yeah.
- [sighs]

Did Patrice ever say anything to you

about Aaron being gay?

No! If she did, I never
would've put him down the hall

next to Kevin.

What about Lionel and other women?

Why are you asking me that?

Right before he stormed out of the room,

Aaron said something
that seemed to imply that...

What? Implied what?

Well, that Patrice knew all about

Lionel and other women he'd been with.

Women, plural?

That's what it sounded like.

No.

She never said anything like that to me.

Not ever, and she told me everything.

If you ask me,

that boy is just making up stories

to deflect attention from himself.

Well, that's what I thought, too.

Look. There.

Stunning.

[laughs]

WOMAN: One, two, three, four, five, six.

[music playing]

[snapping fingers] No spaghetti arms!

Heads up!

[music continues]

- [sighs] Okay.
- Okay.

- Whoa, whoa.
- Okay.

- [woman mumbles]
- Look at Suzette and Sam.

[laughs] I can't, it hurts too much.
Okay, here comes the spin.

Let's both do our own thing
then come back together.

Okay.

[laughs]

Young man, what are you doing?

- Oh, sorry, my bad.
- Back in line.

WOMAN: From the top.

One, two, three, four, five, six.

Britney? She's the duchess.

[laughs] "Duchess"?

Yeah, that's what
Basie used to call her.

He would say she's the Duchess Prime.

[laughs]

She may have a point, though.

The only point she has
is a decimal point,

and even that's a fake.

She just likes having things her
own way and that's all it is.

Now, I don't know what she has
against the homeless, though.

I mean, maybe she thinks they smell

or she thinks one of them

gonna steal one
of her pumps or something,

- I don't know.
- [Jacob laughs]

Satan has his ways.

It is possible that
she might be right, though.

Baby, how can it be right

not to make an effort
to include the homeless?

I'm not saying not to make an effort,

I'm saying just wait.

It's your first day.

Well, I mean, I can say something

to her if you want.

No, it's fine.

- We'll handle it.
- You sure?

Because I don't mind
taking a chair in there

and taming that thing.

No, we've got it, thank you.

Okay. [chuckles]

[sighs]

- I'm sorry, Tasha.
- No, it...

it's not that, I...

it's just that I...

I hope that he's safe out there.

I just really miss him.

[sighs]

[sighs]

[music playing]

- Here we go.
- Wow!

- Yeah.
- Where did you learn to cook like this?

Eh, I just followed the recipe.

- Wow.
- I had this once

in Del Posto in New York.

- Nice job.
- Thank you.

You should try the salad. It's fresh.

- Okay.
- Yeah.

- Nice.
- Oh, yes.

Can I ask you a weird question?

That is a weird question.

I guess.

Where do you see yourself
in, like, five years?

Paint me a picture.

- Okay.
- Mm-hmm.

Um...

in a house with a little more land.

- Okay.
- Yeah.

I'd like to have written a book.

- Really?
- Yeah.

What about?

Maybe my time in Afghanistan.

Mm.

I have a box at the office
just full of ideas.

Hmm, yeah.

Other than that,

I don't know.

Kids?

Nah.

Ooh, are you sure about that?

Well, it's kind of late to start.

Why?

Are you thinking
you want to have another?

Mm, no.

Just... I was wondering
if you were, that's all.

Yeah. I'm good without kids.

Good to know.

If you're willing to let Maricel
go for those two weeks,

I can piece together the rest of it

with Tamela's assistant.

- It's done.
- Wait, Tamela's assistant?

Yeah, she's certified in baby CPR

and she's babysat professionally, so.

You said nobody but Maricel would do.

Isn't that what you said?

Yes, Mama, but it is what it is.

I'm just trying to make it work.

And who'll lead worship
while you're gone?

Tamela's assistant?

Is she a certified exalter, too?

Okay, Mama. Carlton is available.

You see? That is what I'm talking about.

What?

The pickle Kevin's left you in.

Look, I don't want Kevin's help.

No, of course, Tamela Mann's
assistant has you covered.

I mean, you know, who needs a father?

Charity, I want to apologize

for Aaron's role in all of this.

He's lost sight of God's law completely.

- Which one?
- Excuse me?

Which one of God's laws

are you referring to specifically?

[sighs] Prohibitions against
h*m*, Romans .

But the Commandments are the laws.

Aren't they more primary to the faith?

I mean, "Thou shalt not steal,

k*ll, commit adultery."

- JAMES: Mae.
- Listen, I'm as put off

by the equivocations
of these h*m*

as anyone else.

But there is no law.

Mae, let it go.

I think there's something going on here

that I don't quite understand.

You and I both.

CHARITY: It's my life, Mama.

Okay?

I know it's your life, darling.

But I do not want to see you

throw away your dignity

running after this Jabari character

trying to get love from him

while your son is sleeping

in a pimped-out bus.

Mama!

I would never do that.

A woman has a unique God-given ability

to express and experience love.

But the downside to that is it puts you

in a very vulnerable position.

CHARITY: I'll be fine.

MAE: I just don't want to see you

lose your self-respect over some man

because no man

is worth that.

Amen.

MAE: I think I'll just have more wine.

I've lost my appetite. Maricel!

You guys look like you were trying out

for So You Think You Can Dance

or something out there.

- Jealous?
- Of what?

Those discontinued
Michael Jackson spins?

- Not too much.
- Ha-ha.

- [girls giggling]
- Is that his fan club?

- GIRL: Thank you.
- ISAIAH: Uh-huh.

I mean, he should be over here with you.

It's cool. It's part of
being superstar adjacent.

What?

Nice moves.

You talking to me?

No, the cookie.

[chuckles] Funny.

The guy is the frame
and the lady is the picture,

but since you got it backwards,

I just wanted to make sure
you were in the right place.

See? See, I can't make one move

without this one shading me.

I just think you should calm down

on the groupies at the
cotillion, that's all.

Oh, what, you defending her now?

Again? Seriously?

- I just think it's really...
- Babe.

...remarkable how everything
is always about you.

Three against one?

Okay, I see.

This some ish right here. I'm out!

- Zora.
- [sighs]

You okay?

- ZORA: Isaiah. Isaiah.
- I don't know why you have to

choose her over me every single time.

Isaiah, no, no, no.
I'm not on anyone's side.

I just don't wanna have to deal
with everything that's going on...

Oh, so now I'm something to deal with?

- No. No, no, no.
- I bailed on Floodgate

to come tap dance with you!

- I know. I know.
- And I'm the one

that has to be dealt with?

What about her, Z?

Huh?

You smashing her or me?

Please, come on.

- Please.
- Get off of me!

I'm with you. I'm with you.

- I said get off!
- [gasps] Isaiah.

- [arm thuds]
- Ow!

[sobbing]

Baby? Z?

- Z? Z? Baby, baby.
- No, no, no.

- Baby, baby, baby.
- Don't touch me!

Why me? Why would you
do that to me, Isaiah?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. Hey. I didn't mean to.

Okay?

Look, it's just...

it's just when you judge me like that,

I just feel like I'm gonna
lose you or something.

Okay?

Look, I don't wanna lose you, Zora.

You're the best thing

that's ever happened to me, baby.

- Really?
- Yes.

Even more than music.

I promise you,

I will never do this again.

Okay? I just wild out and I get crazy.

And I can't control myself, because...

because I love you.

- It's okay, it's okay.
- I love you.

- I'm so sorry.
- It's okay.

[door opens]

[sighs]

You still up?

If you think I could sleep

after what I heard today,

you must be crazy.

Did James repeat Aaron's foolishness?

Is that what all this drama
at dinner was about?

Were there other women?

The boy is grasping at straws.

Were there other women?
Come on, just tell me.

Were there?

There's no one, no one
as important to me as you.

None who touched me so deeply.

n*gro, please.

I could've ended my marriage,

shamed my family,

all for the things you said.

All for the promises you made.

All of the futures that you painted

in the back of my mind

out of that silver tongue of yours

only to find out that there were others.

Well, I want to know how many.

How many other stupid women

did you tell those
pretty, little lies to?

A few.

You disgust me.

And not like a Christian.

No, oh, no, I won't dare to do like you,

and put myself in a position

to be judging things of the spirit.

But let me tell you something

just talking to you as a woman.

As a man, Lionel,

you are disgusting.

And you are small.

Mae, your brother was a r*pist.

- Don't you even start.
- And James is no saint.

- You're on dangerous territory!
- And as far as I know,

it was the sissy
ex son-in-law of yours...

-...that turned my Aaron into what he is.
- What you... don't you talk...

So, just close your mouth.

[loud smack]

And I'm telling you
right now, don't you ever

show your face around my life again.

- Mae.
- No, because you're not good enough.

You are nothing!

Absolutely nothing.

You don't exist enough to be considered.

You are just...

a space where a person should've been!

You're nothing.

[door opens, closes]

[music playing]

Mm.

You sure you don't want kids?

Well, why are you asking me that again?

I just... I really think
it's something that people

don't really know.

Grace.

All I want is you.

Now, look, I believe you have that

little thing in your head that makes
everything so super complicated

because it's always been
super complicated,

and it feels like home,

but life can be simpler.

Okay?

Wherever you wanna go, we can go.

Whatever you want to do, we can do it.

You're all I want.

I'm all you want?

- Yeah.
- [giggles]

You're all I want.

- [sighs]
- [approaching footsteps]

Are you open to moving Tasha?

From where to where?

Well, her office is right
next door to yours.

Shouldn't it be my office?

And there's that nice
big one down the hall

that used to be yours for a hot second.

[chuckles]

Keke, can we just...

just hold on.

You think she should stay there
and I should go down the hall?

- Kerissa?
- What?

You're the First Lady of Triumph now.

I know that!

But does Tasha know, do you?

Everybody knows.

Everybody.

So, let's just take it
one step at a time.

[exhales]

What are you doing?

Taking it one step at a time.

That's step one.

- This is step two.
- [chuckles]

- I want her out of that office.
- Mm-hmm, whatever.

- And that's step three.
- Oh.

The step I've been
thinking about all day.

All through the staff meeting,

all during dinner,

and ever since I walked in this room.

[music playing]

[man vocalizing]

[chuckles]

[exhales]

[chuckles]

Oh.

[man vocalizing]

♪ Now, the skies could fall ♪

♪ Not even if my boss should call ♪

♪ The world, it seems so very small ♪

♪ 'Cause nothing even matters at all ♪

♪ See, nothing even matters ♪

♪ See, nothing even matters at all ♪

♪ Nothing even matters... ♪

Thank you.

Hey.

Back to Charlotte?

Points unknown.

I'm speaking figuratively.

Who knows where my family is headed.

What's left of it, anyway.

Listen, Mae is not feeling well.

Oh, well, that's a shame.

Lionel?

We're both old men.

Getting older by the minute.

And we both made enough mistakes

that if it wasn't for the blood of Jesus

saving either one of our sorry butts,

it'd be a judgment call.

What are you trying to say, James?

Gay or straight, that boy is the only

blood relation you got left.

He needs you.

And there's gonna come a
day when you'll need him.

I offer this to you as a friend.

I'll keep that in mind, James.

Tell Mae I'm sorry.

About what?

That we didn't get
a chance to say good-bye.

- I'll do that.
- [car door opens]

[car door closes]

[engine starts]