03x14 - Amazing Grace

[bunniefuu]

Last time on Star CARLOTTA: Gravity Records has been nominated for several ASAs, which we are fighting to win.

If you think I'm going out with a fight, you crazy.

Bitch! Due to the blunt force trauma, Star has swelling of the brain.

ALEXANDRA: What happened to your aunt

- is not your fault.

- Oh, no, no, no, no.

You better get your fine ass up on out of here now.

SIMONE: Noah's back on that mess again.

I ain't gonna let him screw with Davis's life like that.

I want Davis full

-time with me.

CASSIE: Dropping a dime on you was the hardest call I ever had to make, bitch.

- (g*nsh*t)

- COTTON: Hey, get off of her! Baby girl, Dior's one of my gals.

We need your help, Miss Cotton.

Derek, will you marry me?

- He r*ped me.

- CHRISTINE: He's your father.

The baby that you had with Daddy is alive.

ANNOUNCER: The sickest beats, the freshest tracks.

Five nominations for your ASA awards consideration.

Scorpio Street Records.

Hmm.

Our rivals are bringing their A game to win these awards.

Well, it's hard to bring our A game when our bank statement's in the red.

They paid some racks for this promo.

Look, forget that.

Our ASA Legend Tribute Concert, I mean, that thing has to make the voters turn their heads.

- (INDISTINCT MUTTERING)

- To us.

I can't lie, having them pay homage to the former winners, that's a stroke of genius.

Listen, I'm a daughter of two hustlers.

I could sell you this air for a G.

- (LAUGHTER)

- That's where I'm at with it.

Right, y'all? So let's get motivated.



- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)

- How's Gravity's lineup? Well, we got Take 3 and GiGi doing their throwback to the '90s.

They gonna k*ll it.

Hey.

So, uh, have you heard anything from Noah? He's still on the bench.



- I'm praying hard for him.



- He needs it.



- Hey.



- Hey.

You got a little hot date or something? Ew.

No, I'm here to talk to you.

This is for you.



- Okay.



- Coffee.

I'll catch up.

What you want? Look, can't I just be a good sister?

- (LAUGHS): Not generally.



- (CHUCKLES) Look, I know you've been k*lling yourself between work and Star I mean, l

-listen, Star is like my daughter now.

I made Mary a promise I was gonna take care of her.

I know how you love them girls, and I know you gonna look out for them, but I'm

-a look out for you.

You already know where I'm getting at.

We ain't talked about your son, Carlotta.

And we not gonna talk about it.

Carlotta, come on.

You have a child out there in the world.

I mean, don't you want to find him? And remind myself of what Daddy did to me, in the form of a man? Nah, I'm good.

Look, look, look.

Calvin represents that, but not that baby.

Okay, you be the victim of child r*pe, and then come tell me that.

Look, I'm trying to help you.

Don't try to help me.

Stop trying.

He lied to you.

You deserve answers.

And all we have is a birth certificate and no leads.

And Ma called me to tell me that Daddy may not make it.

So you need to talk to him now.

I don't need to talk to him.

There's a doctor waiting for me at a hospital to tell me how Star is doing.

So I'm

-a go to the hospital.



- Carlotta.



- Cas let it go.

I bring me Get mine, 'bout mine, go hard Looking for another like me Boy, stop I bring me Whose love is the tightest? Whose kiss is the nicest? Me Whose touch is the rightest? Me I bring me I bring, I bring me.

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS) SIMONE: What do you mean, a brain bleed? What? I thought you said the swelling went down.

And it has, but now she's developed a hemorrhage.

Well, how did that happen so quickly? She was just stable.

Unfortunately, it can go undetected in early testing.

Okay, so what are we supposed to do now? The bleeding could get worse.

But we have two options, which is surgery or we could wait

- and see if the bleeding will

- SIMONE: Wait and do what?

- What are you trying to say?

- Just let him explain it.

There are risks to both options.

We can't predict how the surgery will go, (ECHOING): and there's always the risk of infection, but if we wait, there's a possibility that Star could develop a severe blood toxicity.

It is a slow bleed, but I suggest you make a decision as soon as you can.

CARLOTTA: Okay.

So who do we need to talk to to get into the details of this surgery? Let's

-let's get it scheduled ASAP.

Surgery? You're gonna cut into her brain? Absolutely not.



- No.



- Did you hear what he just said? Uh, excuse me, ma'am, are you next of kin?

- I mean, not on paper.



- I'm sorry, the law requires decisions be made by family

- 18 years or older.



- Well, I'm 18.

I'm her blood.

So the decision is yours.

Simone, I know this surgery thing sounds scary, but Star is young, she's strong,

- she can come through this thing.



- And what if she doesn't? You heard the risks.

Well, you heard the risks if we wait.

SIMONE: Okay, well, I just need a little bit of time, because every decision I make now affects Davis.

Well, we got to give her a fighting chance,

- and the surgery is

- Okay, are you a doctor, Miss C? What if the surgery affects her coordination or her voice or something? When she wakes back up, I don't know what to do about that.

So what, we not gonna do nothing? Is that what we gonna do? SIMONE: We are not making the decision.

I'm making the decision.

I need some air.

NOAH: At first, I thought it was my son screaming, But it was the smoke alarm.

I tried to get up to help him, but (SIGHS) but I couldn't.

All my life I've been pointing the finger at my father but it was me that put my son in danger, over over some pills.

(LAUGHS SOFTLY) What's that saying y'all say around here? You're three people? Who you think you are, who others say you are who you really are.

(OTHERS MURMUR QUIET AGREEMENT) (SIGHS) Well, I'm better than that person that was high on the floor.

My name is Noah Brooks and I'm 12 days sober.

(APPLAUSE) Thank you for sharing, Noah.

Um, would anybody else like to share today? Okay.

If not, that's it for today.

We'll see you tomorrow.

(LAUGHS SOFTLY) I'm proud of you.

Thanks for letting me stay these past weeks.

You're good.

I told you that.

But you can't hide out forever, now.

Yeah, I know.

Look, that shame, that's the worst kind of hangover.

And there were days when I hated to see the sun rise.

It just reminded me that I was alive, and for what? To get high? But I found this group, I started praying, got my mind right, I'm good.

Now I wake up at the cr*ck of dawn, ready to draw eyebrows, throw on a blouse, you know.

(LAUGHS) I'm ready to get their ass.

My father know? That's for you to tell him, not me.

This between us.

You got this, though.

It's just a chapter that you got to turn the page on.

(PANTING) What's wrong? I just went to the hospital and I couldn't stay Sit down.

S

-Sit down.

She might have to get surgery and I I just can't I didn't think I would react like this.

I feel like I'm gonna lose it.

No, you're not, okay? Just breathe.



- (EXHALES)

- You can handle anything.

Talk to me.

I just want to be happy.

I want to be happy and focus on the wedding.

But I feel like I can't.

I feel like it's not right if I'm happy right now.

Then we don't have to tell anybody.

At least, not for right now, you know? Okay.

Okay.

Yeah.

We'll just keep it between us.

(QUIETLY): Right.

(DOORBELL RINGS)

- Stay right here.



- Okay.

Moses.

What are you doing here? I'm here for Miss Crane.



- Is everything okay? What's going on?

- Alexandra, your parents sent this over for you to sign.

Parents? DEREK: What is it? It's a prenup.

Your parents are only looking out for your best interest.

Okay, well, you can tell my mother and my father to stay out of my relationship, Moses.

Go.



- (SIGHS)

- How did they even find out? I told my mom, because I thought we were working on our relationship, but she's probably told half of New York by now.

(SIGHS) Let's check GNZ.

REPORTER (OVER VIDEO): Roland Crane spilled all the tea.

Daughter Alex is engaged to brother Eggplant.

Let go, Dalex fans.

Oh, no, no, no.

(INDISTINCT VOICE OVER P.

A.

) What you doing? Just trying to read this medical stuff, but I don't understand it and feel real stupid.

(SCOFFS) You're not stupid.

You're smart and you're strong and you're brave.

I mean, not too many people would file for custody of a baby at 18.

What can I say, he's all the blood I got right now.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean for that to come off the way it did, Miss C.

It's okay.

Just keep stabbing.



- (WHISPERS): I'm sorry.



- (LAUGHS SOFTLY) Girl, it's just hard for me not to mother y'all.

I mean, you slept in my bed, for crying out loud.

But you're adults now.

So I'll respect whatever decision you make with Star.

I just keep staring at her, you know? I can't fix this one for you.

But I'll be here with you through it.

Don't worry, the answer will come.

I think that's what Star believes, too.

I'll do that performance.

For her.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER) Alex, can I get a statement?

- I'm not commenting about Star, thank you.



- No, no, no, no.

We're talking about the wedding.

I know I've been waiting for this.

We all saw the love in that sex tape.

Fire.



- Can we see the ring?

- (SCOFFS) Oh, no ring? Is Derek slipping? What? No.

Of course not.

So, y'all are happy for real? Yes.

Okay? I am the happiest I've ever been.

Yeah, we're all real happy.

See you inside, Alex.

(DOOR OPENS) You b*tches done turned my daddy's trailer into a ho house? If y'all gonna be staying here, we gonna lay down some ground rules.

Rule one: don't be trifling

-ass b*tches.

Where are the other girls? They ran out to get some money, just like I'm about to do.



- Excuse me.



- You asked me to protect y'all from Leon.

Look, I am out of estrogen.



- Okay? I'm growing hair in places.



- TMI.

You cannot be roaming the streets with Leon looking for you.

I ain't you, Cotton.

Okay? I don't have some nice life.

Leon hooked all of us up with clothes, hormones and breasts.

Why you think we stayed? S

-So you gonna go regardless of what I say.

Listen, I'm

-a run into one of my regulars, okay, and come straight back.

It's quick money

- and it ain't through Leon, so I'm good.



- Di Thank you.

What up, Miss C? You wanted to see me? Yeah.

I wanted to lay my eyes on you.

Sit down.

(SIGHS) Look, I know what you gonna say.

All right? I'm 12 days sober, and I'm ready to pick the songs for our ASA tribute concert.

Noah, I think maybe you need to take a break before you get back on stage, man.

Come on, I

-I don't need a break.

This is me you talking to.

Now, we done had this conversation way too many times.

And this is the last one.

I'm never gonna hurt Davis like that again.



- All right? I

- DIANNE: Noah? Uh Mama? What? Why haven't you been answering my calls? I've been worried sick.

I've been busy with work and

-and the baby What

-what are you doing here? I asked Miss Brown to help me reach you.

Well, I'm doing fine, all right?

- Look at me.

I'm good.



- Oh, I am looking.

And I can see straight through it, baby.

This is all my fault.

Baby, when your dad left me, I went down a dark path

- Mom, Mom, look, look

- and you never should have seen me like that.

NOAH: I

-I'm good, all right? I swear.

No, you need to take a step back.

Between the accident and

-and a new baby? I can't stop.

I got ASAs and

-and Davis? Then let me help with Davis.

Why won't you let me help? Because it's my responsibility, Mama, come on.

Look, I'm glad you came by.

I got this, stop worrying.

Let me be the son you raised.

Thank you for setting up this meeting, Ms.

Brown.

You got kids? Yeah.

Then you know this feeling.

I felt it the moment I knew he was in my belly.

I wanted to protect him from everything and anything this world could throw at him.

But first, God, let him be healthy and make it into the world then let him be smart, then handsome, talented, kind.

But the world can be so hard.

I thought, maybe he could find some peace if he wasn't in this world.

What mother dreams that for her child?

- (DAVIS FUSSING)

- Oh, I know.

I know.

Yeah, there you go.

Get comfy.

There we go.

You're late.

I'm aware.

(PHONE CHIMES) Yo, my mom is really driving me insane.

I know her heart's in the right place, but she's making all this wedding stuff about her.

Oh, that's funny coming from you right now.



- What is that supposed to mean?

- Look, I know that you and Star butt heads, but I thought that you cared about her more than you showed.

I do.

Okay, well, Star's been in the hospital and you haven't visited her in a week.

And then I called you about the surgery

- Yeah, I know, and I'm sorry.



- NOAH: There's my boy.

Hey, what's up, man? I missed you, too.

I'm back, I'm back.

Oh, my God.

I missed you so much Hey, Alex, you mind if I have a moment with Simone? Sure.

Look, I'm sorry about what happened.

You're sorry? You're sorry you almost k*lled Davis because you were high? Okay.

Look, I know, all right? I know, and I appreciate you for taking care of him.

I'm

-I'm getting myself back together.

I'm

-I'm 12 days sober today.

I'm ready to move back into Star's and do things right this time.

That's amazing.

Congratulations.



- But that ain't happening.



- Okay.

I messed up, but There ain't no buts.

Okay? Davis ain't going home with you.

Simone I will call the police on you.



- This is my son, not

- Okay, you go and call the police.

You go and do that, and then I'll call social services,

- and they'll be at your door in two hours.



- (SCOFFS) SIMONE: Well, you want to let them decide? My sister's in the hospital, fighting for her life.

And if you want to throw yours away, that's totally fine,

- but you ain't gonna do that to Davis.



- Okay, okay, okay.



- You understand me?

- Okay, okay, okay, okay.

But you're not in charge of Davis.

I am.

You sure about that? 'Cause I just filed for temporary custody over him until Star gets her ass out of the hospital.

You get yourself together.

Don't touch this baby.

You did it to yourself.

When you gonna pull up Yo, the Gravity ASA event is gonna pay the bills this month.



- (LAUGHS)

- Thank you, Jesus.

(CASSIE HUMS)

- Come here.



- Ooh.

When you gonna pull up Pull up You've been on my mind lately Yo, how's Carlotta at work? She seems fine.

Why? I don't know.

I'm just worried about her a little bit.



- Hmm.



- You know, family stuff.

I just want her to be happy, or at least try to find happy, like me.

Well, you seem a lot lighter now.

Oh! Yeah.



- Xander's out of my life.



- Let's hope it stays that way.

It will.

Good.

(GASPS) Boy, stop playing.

Turn that up.

That's my song.

Oh, you like this? That you know just Yes! My high school first slow dance.



- Okay.



- Yeah.

Well, let's see what you got.

But you will see CASSIE (SINGING ALONG): It's just a matter of time My love will surely make you mine Hey, Maurice, I'm sorry, but I need to talk to you.

Okay.

Well, I'll leave the two of y'all alone.

Yeah.

I'll catch up with you in a bit.

Livin' in a world I'm not doing the Tribute show, okay? I've been on press tours, and in the studio non

-stop since my aunt passed.

Look, come on, GiGi, right now is not the time to pull a stunt like this before ASAs.

This isn't a stunt, okay? I feel like I'm drowning.

Look, I know you've been through a lot lately.

And if you need to talk about it, I'm here, but this performance is very important to your career.

Yo, you need to back up, little girl.

Excuse me, bitch? Don't nobody want his washed

-up ass.

Well, that ain't what it looked like, GiGi.

Okay, you know what? I'm gonna have to get myself on out of here before I catch me a charge.

And catch your ass a fade.

She belongs on a leash.

Woof, woof, bitch.

What is wrong with you? What I'm not about to do is have another man play me.

Okay, you trippin'.

Now, I know Xander played a number on you, but that girl is my artist.



- So?

- You know what? (SCOFFS) I don't need to explain myself to you.

You don't.

But your ass will.

Just hang in there, baby girl.

You can do it.



- I know you can.



- NOAH: Hey, Miss C? You need to holler at Simone, all right? She ain't about to take my son from me.

I can't do nothing about it.

She's 18.



- (SMACKS LIPS)

- Now, I know you sober, but we both know you ain't right all the way.

You can use this time.

Trust me.

"Trust me?" Trust? After you just ambushed me with my mom? You could've gave me a heads

-up.

Yeah, I could've gave you a heads

-up.

But if you think I'm about to apologize for helping a mother who is worried sick about her child, you must be crazy.

You're like a runaway train right now.

You know how to say all the right things.

You're charming as hell.

But you're gonna have to put in more work, 'cause things are about to get real, real fast.

Star is really sick, and she might not ever be the Star we used to know.



- Look, um

- And if that's the case, you're gonna have to step the hell up.

I'm trying, all right? I'm trying to get my life back to back to normal.

What normal?! Getting drunk, crashing cars, threatening to jump off of buildings.

That normal? You need a new normal.

Look, I I can't just let somebody take my son and not do nothing about it.

Oh, mm

-mm Did you know I'd be up late at night? All these thoughts, scenarios of you and I And boy, I know that you're not focused, not on love

- (SONG STOPS)

- Yeah.

This ain't gonna work,

- 'cause you're off.



- I'm never off.

You were just off, and you're performing with Take 3.

Please get yourself on point.

Girl, take that pole out your ass and stop stressing.

Okay? I'll get it down before we go on.

That ain't good enough.

That's not how we roll.

Okay, well, I'm not Star.

I'm GiGi.

That's for damn sure.

Look, let me remind you that I don't need this performance, like some of y'all.

(INDISTINCT SINGING OUTSIDE) So, how long have Star's fans been out there? ALEXANDRA: All day.

Word got out that she may not make it.

Look, I know y'all would rather be performing with Star instead of me, but for what it's worth, I hope she recovers.

You know, it's funny.

I always had the wrong people around me in my career, but (LAUGHS) they were all I had, you know, so I know what it's like for them not to be here anymore.

(SINGING CONTINUES IN THE DISTANCE) Look, let's just get back to rehearsing.

There's gonna be a lot of legends in the crowd, so Let's get it.

And boy, I know that you're not focused, not on love

- Five six.



- But I'm gonna change your mind

- 'Cause you're the one I'm thinkin' of

- Five, six.



- Seven, eight.



- I wanna be Loving you, kissing you And I can never be average Been to hell and back and I managed All in a pretty little package Yeah, they all know I'm a savage And I can never be average Been to hell and back and I managed Look, Simone, I know you got a lot going on, but we got to talk about Star's options.

Not right now, Miss C.

Please.

WOMAN: God, we're asking you to give Star the strength to get through this.

And we want to send up an extra prayer for her and her family.



- (PEOPLE GASP LOUDLY)

- What the hell?! Y'all acting like this is a damn memorial service.

My sister ain't even dead.

Get your asses out.

Thank you.

I just want my sister back.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER) Hey, Alex.



- Hey.

You got a second?

- Oh.

Uh yeah, of course.

What's up? Not much.

Just, you know, trying to keep it all together.

I hear a congratulations is is in order.

Hmm.

Yeah.

Everyone is finding out at this point, thanks to my parents.

Look, is there any way I can fix this?

- With Davis?

- You have money.



- Hire a legal team.



- Come on.

I can't throw money at everything.

Look, well, can you at least talk to Simone for me? I can't get in the middle of this, Noah.

Simone's gonna do what she feels is best for this baby right now.

Look, I know I messed up.

I know that.

All right? But all I keep thinking about is my son without his father.



- Noah, I

- Like, look, what's the worst your mom ever did before being sober? Oh, you mean like try to sleep with you when we were dating? Before then, when you were younger.

We had a closet in the brownstone that we lived in.

I used to hide in it when things got bad.

She had alcohol poisoning one time, and Marisol had to call the ambulance.

I was terrified.

And I couldn't leave that closet.

I just didn't know if she was okay.

So I couldn't leave.

I remember wishing I had sisters so I didn't have to be alone.

She showed me who she was at that moment, Noah.

That hasn't changed.

(SIGHS) (INDISTINCT CHATTER) I thought I'd find you out here.

Yeah, well, I'm just sitting out here, talking to God like you taught me.

Praying for Him to give me some kind of sign on what to do.

Yeah, I wish it were that easy.

I'm so mad at God.

For me, for Davis.

Me and Star we grew up without a mother.

Now Davis might have to, as well.

And that decision falls on me.

Why is God punishing us? Haven't we suffered enough? God is not punishing you, but you can get mad at God.

He can take it.

I get mad at God sometimes.



- You do?

- Of course.

What do you do? I get down on my knees, I close my eyes, even if I don't know what to ask for.

Yeah, well, you always said that God doesn't put you through things you can't handle.

I did say that, didn't I? Mm.

Well, you got one more prayer in you? Come on, baby girl.

God, we really need You to do what only You can do.



- Is that it?

- That's it.

Okay.

(INTRO TO ARETHA FRANKLIN'S "SOMETHING HE CAN FEEL" PLAYS) MAURICE: I know you like the new version, but I'm an old school type brother.

Shoo

-ooh Shoo, ooh

-ooh

-ooh, ooh

-ooh, ooh, ooh

-ooh

-ooh Shoo, ooh How'd you get in here? Bribed the new barback.

Her ass is getting fired.

Oh, oh

-oh

-oh

-oh Nobody got time for that.

I got a whole business to run.

Give yourself a break.

Dance with me.

You might be crazy, but you ain't gonna disrespect Aretha.

Um, I know I was a little dramatic today at Gravity.



- A little?

- Mm

-hmm.

Look, Cassie, I'm not gonna let you keep sabotaging yourself from getting what you deserve.

I know I was harsh.

That's what you expect.

Living in a world of ghetto life Mm.

It's all I know.

So when somebody treats me right, it feels wrong.

My man, my man I'm used to being told what I don't deserve.

Look, you and I aren't perfect, but I'm not about to let you bitch me around every time you start questioning things.

I don't play those games.

People out there can understand I'm giving him something he can feel

- Ah

-ha

-ha

- Mm.

I'm not Xander, Cassie.



- This love is real

- My love is real Yeah

-ah, ah

-ah

-ah

-ah

-ah (INDISTINCT CHATTER) Why you making that face? Like you didn't expect that my body would have you So out of place Jackson.

I

-I didn't expect to see you here.

I come here, and I play music for her every day.

(RHYTHMIC BEEPING AND WHOOSHING) I guess the surprise is you.

How's the baby? He's

-he's doing great.

He's getting big.

He does the cutest little things So you're gonna lie to me again?

- What are you talking about?

- I came to you man

-to

-man, and I asked you if you were still using.

You looked me in my eyes, and you lied.

I know that Davis is with Simone.

Man, you k*ll me.

Uh, at first you don't want nothing to do with Star.

And now you up in here like you're the Man of the Year.

Bro, I don't owe you a damn thing.

And I don't need to be Man of The Year to know that I'd be a better father than you.



- Yeah, well, you ain't.



- Yeah, and you a bitch.



- Yeah?

- All right, all right.

(INDISTINCT, OVERLAPPING ARGUING)

- That's how you're feeling, huh?

- That's how I feel.



- That's how I feel.



- Oh, hey, hey, hey, break it up.

Break it up.

Now you two got to go.

You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

(INDISTINCT MUTTERING) (DOOR CLOSES) (MUTTERING CONTINUES) Shh.

It's not time to talk.

It's time to listen.

I'm not here to curse you.

I don't want no sorries.



- (MUMBLING)

- I just want to know, where is my baby? I

-I don't I don't know.

Where is my son? You know! I I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know! I tried to tell myself that it was made out of evil, just so I could forget about it, so I could forget.

But but that wasn't evil in my stomach.



- (WHIMPERING)

- Not like you.

And when I saw him, he wasn't evil.

He was innocent and helpless, just like me.

I've been grieving all my life because of your lies, but you're just sick, and you're gonna die.

(WHIMPERS QUIETLY) So I forgive you.

Don't forgive me! No, don't you forgive.

I'm your stepfather.

Cassie my baby.

And you wanted it.



- Singing all those love songs.



- What?!

- (BEEPING QUICKENS) Yeah, I ain't gonna tell you where that child is.

I ain't gonna tell you where that baby is.

He's my baby! You ain't gonna

- (MUFFLED JABBERING)

- What?! You don't want to tell me, you die! I hate you!

- (RAPID BEEPING)

- I was a baby, you sick bastard.

(RAPID BEEPING, ALARM BEEPING) (LOUD GASPING) (BEEPING SLOWS)

- (RHYTHMIC BEEPING)

- (COUGHING) (MUTTERING) (SOFT GASPING) (MUTTERING) No more.

No more.

I don't need you.

(MUTTERING) Five, six, seven, eight.

(MUSIC PLAYS, FINGERS SNAPPING) Looking good, looking good.

Now remember, ladies, this is going on Gravity Records' site.

After the performance, there'll be some interviews about how you feel about the ASAs.

Now, your answers need to woo the voters.

Go big or go home.

Hmm?

- You hear that, GiGi?

- I'm ready.

Are you ready?

- I was born ready.



- (GIGI LAUGHS)

- All right, then, let's do it.



- EMCEE: Thank you, thank you.

Tonight, Gravity Media is proud to honor a legendary female group.

Passing the baton from one generation of badass divas to another, please welcome Alex Crane and Simone Davis from Take 3, and GiGi Nixon! (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) Oh, yeah Yeah

-y yeah Oh, oh, ooo Did you know I'd be up late at night? All these thoughts, scenarios of you and I And, boy, I know that you're not focused, not on love But I'm gonna change your mind Cuz you're the one I'm thinkin' of I wanna be loving you, kissing you Holding you, what I wanna do There's nothin' better in this life Than being loved and loved just right, I See me and you alone Doing things that'll make you moan And we could go so far If you let me hear your heart, oh Give love a try I know you'll like it, like it Oh, won't you let me in, boy, give it all to me Now, you got work and things that take all your attention But we all need some things To ease all of the tension And you got dreams of doing things That's bigger than this life But it could be much better If you had me by your side I wanna be loving you Kissing you, holding you, what I wanna do There's nothin' better in this life Than being loved, and loved just right, I See me and you alone Doing things that'll make you moan And we could go so far If you let me hear your heart, oh Give love a try I know you'll like it, like it Oh, won't you let me in, boy, give it all to me Give love a try, boy Please don't fight it, fight it Oh, won't you let me in, boy, give it all to me.

(CHEERING) CROWD (CHANTING): Take 3, Take 3, Take 3, Take 3, Take 3, Take 3, Take 3, Take 3, Take 3 (CHANTING CONTINUES) (CHANTING FADES) I want to thank you guys so much for all the good energy you've been putting out.

You know how much we all love music.

But I really do think it's important that we take time to focus on the important things.

Which is why, after tonight, I'm taking a hiatus from performing.

Y'all know I lost someone very close to me and, uh, I think it's time that I focus on myself.

I'm leaving Gravity Media.

(CONCERNED MURMURING) I wish everyone the best of luck.

Thank you.

ALEXANDRA: I hate to admit it, but you were right.

Being on stage without her tonight, it felt weird.

Well, I've been praying all week, but I know that we had to pull through for her tonight.

She's gonna be okay.

I feel that.

I mean, she better be.

(SIGHS) Look, as you know, me and Star's relationship is complicated, and we don't always get along.



- But

- What? I don't deal with these type of things well, Simone.

You would think so, with everything that's happened this year.

But I'm just handling it.

Y'all are my family.

Look, we ain't gonna lose her.

'Cause I'm gonna schedule that surgery.

(THUNDER ROLLING) I'm gonna tell the doctors tonight.

I'm gonna come with you.

(THUNDER ROLLS) Hey, looks like we can celebrate.

Carlotta, that tribute show was fire.

What's wrong? I could have k*lled him.

Can you believe he tried to blame me for what he did to me? He said I asked for it.

A seven

-year

-old.

I tried to k*ll his ass.

The bastard.

I put that pillow on his face, and I smashed it.

I tried to smash the life out of his I couldn't do it.

He can't get no more pieces of me.

And you'll never worry about him again.

Get your ass out here before I b*at you.

What is wrong with you?

- Get your ass down here.



- Okay, okay.

What the hell are y'all doing? My john told Leon.



- Hey, you better get your ass in the car.



- Dior, get back in the house.



- Okay, I promise.

Okay, okay, I'm gonna

- Don't you fail me out here.

Leon, if you touch one hair on her head, I'm coming for your whole life.

I always come back for what's mine.

You better watch your ass, Cotton, you hear me? Get your ass over here! You've been warned.



- You hear me? Get your ass over here.



- Leon

- Come on, get in the car!

- (THUNDER CRASHES)

- What you looking at, bitch?

- Y'all lower your voices! (DOG BARKING) (LINE RINGING) NOAH (RECORDED): It's Noah, you know what to do.

Noah, it's Bruce.

Look, I talked to Carlotta.

I'm worried about you.

You better be in a damn AA meeting somewhere where you can't use your phone.

That's the only excuse I'm gonna use for you not calling me back.

And I know your voice mail ain't full.

It's as empty as Gravity Media's bank account, bitch.

Call me back.

Bobby.

(LINE RINGING) Hey, Bobby.

Look, I

-I think you need to get down here.

Your son needs you.

(CHUCKLING) You.

I ain't got no information for you.

(THUNDER ROLLING) I don't need no information from you.

I'll get that on my own.

You know, she could have ruined your entire life, but she didn't.

But that's Lottie, always protecting everybody and leaving things up to God for the vengeance.



- But I ain't Lottie.



- (THUNDER ROLLING) Lottie (MUFFLED CRIES) (MONITORS BEEPING RAPIDLY) (FLATLINE SOUNDS) Bye, Dad.

(MONITOR BEEPING) (INDISTINCT CHATTER) Um, Miss C, I'm ready to sign off on the surgery.

I let the doctors know.

Okay.

I'm proud of you.

How's she doing? The same.

Sorry I haven't been around as much.

CARLOTTA: It's okay.

We all got to deal with things in our own time.

Yeah.

Well, I'm sure happy you're here now.

Star you're like a really complicated sister to me.

I don't want to see you like this.

I want to see you cursing Mateo out, or something.

Or throwing a drink in Lil' Dini's face.

Or making fun of my blonde hair.

(CHUCKLES) And telling me I need to work on a hook, even though you and me both know I don't.

I proposed to Derek.

It's crazy, right? Yeah, my parents are tripping about it, but Look, I need you to push through.

Okay? I need you.

We all need you.