04x09 - Southside With You

[bunniefuu]

- Previously on The Chi

- [g*nsh*t]

[LAVERNE] You ruined my life.

Now I'm taking yours.

- [DOUDA] It was Brandon's mom.

- Did you k*ll him?

- I had to.

- Why?

Because he had started

talking to the Feds.

Careful.

n*gga, why don't you mind your business,

and I'll take care of mine.

You wouldn't be here

if it wasn't for me.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

I don't owe you sh*t.

You're the one.

What?

Everyone keeps telling

me to listen to my gut.

My gut keeps telling me it's you.

Yes?

I want my baby back.

Okay, and I'm not looking

for a man to save me.

I don't think you

need a man to save you.

I just like spending time with you.

Yeah, I guess that would be nice.

I don't want to be open no more.

I want it to just be us again.

When I'm f*cking all these other women,

all I can think about is you.

But I just like having a

little variety in my life.

Look, I love you.

And that's urgent like a m*therf*cker.

We're not in a movie, Emmett.

If you wanna keep being open, then

I don't know if I want to

be married to you no more.

You got business with my lady?

My bad.

Papa, I am not your lady no more.

What?

You made this party for me, right?

- Yeah, but you just can't

- Then let me enjoy it.

Would you go to the

Spring Fling with me?

I would love to. [CHUCKLES]

- Look, I'm sorry, all right?

- Yeah, you should be.

Look, when I said get a girlfriend,

I didn't mean mine.

I guess it'll always be weird

seeing each other

with other people, huh?

I'm sorry, Kevin.

If y'all break up, don't

be crawling back to me,

'cause I won't be waiting.

Want to go to the movies tomorrow?

You asking me on a date, n*gga?

Maybe.

I just don't see you like that.

[SCOFFS] Right.

[JAGGED EDGE'S "WALKED OUTTA HEAVEN"]

[LIP-SYNCING] I'm rolling

down a lonely highway ♪

I'm asking God to please forgive me ♪

For messing up the

best thing He gave to me ♪

I see ♪

Everything clearer now ♪

[LIP-SYNCING] The night's as black as ♪

- Black as it's ever been ♪

- Ooh ♪

Without my girl, I'ma lose it ♪

And I pray that He just

sheds His grace on me ♪

I need ♪

Just to be back with my baby ♪

It feels like I've damn

near thrown my life away ♪

I'm scared just like a

child that's lost at seven ♪

[MUSIC CONTINUES, MUFFLED]

[PHONE BUZZES]

See, my mama told me ♪

- That if it's meant to be ♪

- [BABY FUSSING, CRIES]

She'll come back,

and she'll forgive me ♪

And the best thing I can do ♪

Is to just let her, let

her go, I know, I know ♪

- Turn that sh*t down!

- [BABY CONTINUES CRYING]

But if I continue to push ♪

She'll just pull away ♪

And I know that in my

heart, it's a reality ♪

[BABY CONTINUES CRYING]

I didn't treat her like

she wanted to be treated ♪

And I hope that she's

not gone for good ♪

[VOLUME INCREASING] No, no, no ♪

Feels like I've damn

near thrown my life away ♪

[DRAMATIC HIP-HOP MUSIC]

Then she got the nerve to say,

"This ain't a movie, Emmett."

- [SIGHS]

- [SHAY] How come you ain't do

that type of sh*t for

me when we was together?

This ain't about you right now, Shay.

Well, I don't blame her. I

be sick of your sh*t, too.

How come nobody ain't never on my side?

'Cause you be in the wrong.

But I owned it. I told her the truth.

I wanted to do right by her.

Yeah, and sometimes it be too late.

- You think it's over for us?

- [SHAY] n*gga, I don't know.

Look, I got my own sh*t

to worry about, okay?

You done put Tiff through

so much sh*t over the years,

the least you could do

is let her have some fun.

I got the right to

change my mind, though.

Yeah, and so does she.

- Where Devonte at?

- With my mama.

Why you ain't tell

me my son wasn't here?

'Cause you texted me 20 minutes ago.

And I got a date.

With who?

You don't know him.

- Y'all serious?

- [CHUCKLES]

If he act right, we will be.

[CHUCKLES] Oh, he treating you right?

He treating me way better than you did.

I set a low bar.

- Ooh.

- [LAUGHTER]

Nah, he a good dude.

And he's so good to my baby.

Our baby.

[SIGHS]

You looking good, girl.

[CHUCKLES] Don't even think about it.

- Please. I ain't even on that.

- Since when?

Since I been trying to get my wife back.

Mm. [SIGHS]

Well, she love your ass,

so just give her some time.

- How much time?

- [SHAY] However long she needs.

Give this to Jada. Tell

her I'm praying for her.

[DOOR CLOSES]

Hmm.

[METALLIC CLICKING]

How you feelin'?

[DOUDA] I'm on the mend.

I see that.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

They say the best way

to appreciate your life

is to come close to losing it.

Could've d*ed up there.

Saw my life flash before my eyes.

What'd you see?

All the bridges I've b*rned

and all the people I've lost.

Like I been trying to prove

something to myself my whole life.

[TRIG] Like what?

That I'm a good person.

Are you?

Time will tell.

[SIGHS] I don't have much of a family.

And I've done a lot for yours.

I know.

I was hoping that I

could be a part of it.

What you mean?

Jake is the closest I've

come to having a son.

He's not your son.

Well, I'm responsible

for looking after him.

Not anymore.

I think that he could

benefit

from both of us being in his life.

[DOOR HINGES CREAK]

Have you seen the paper?

Hmm?

- We lost the bid.

- So the f*ck what?

This was your chance

to do something iconic,

and you let it slip through your fingers

because you got distracted.

You know what? This

was your play, not mine.

Do you know what the Olympics

could have done for us?

Mm-hmm. It would've

given me a headache.

Camille would've gotten behind this.

Well, Camille's not here.

I am.

Unfortunately.

Get the f*ck outta my office.

f*ck you, Otis.

[TRIG] Yo, Marcus.

[DOUDA] Trig, we're

not finished here, bro.

[TRIG] Marcus.

Hey.

I know we don't see eye to eye,

but I can't do this without you, bro.

[MARCUS] You seem to be doing just fine.

Ever since Roselyn left,

he's been all over the place.

He's always been all over the place.

Okay, okay, look,

the community is finally

starting to trust us.

All right? I don't wanna risk

him doing something crazy.

He doesn't care about the community.

Don't you get that?

He's just looking for redemption.

[SCOFFS] He ain't Superman.

He's just a n*gga in a suit.

- Man, people can change.

- No.

- They can't.

- [ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

Fine.

Get the f*ck outta here, then.

If you wanna protect your

community from someone

it should be him.

[EMMETT EXHALES SHARPLY]

[JAKE&PAPA'S "TWIN" PLAYING]

-

- [CLICKS TONGUE]

Ain't this a bitch?

[SIGHS, CLICKS TONGUE, GRUNTS]

Twin love ♪

I know you feel mixed up ♪

You're running from a mirror ♪

Why don't you come nearer? ♪

I know it's never the right time ♪

Right time ♪

I'm looking at the stop signs ♪

While I'm looking at the night sky ♪

Night sky ♪

Stay looking in your eyes ♪

Don't run ♪

I can't wait ♪

Till I feel your warm embrace ♪

Find it hard to concentrate ♪

I'll regret you someday ♪

The planets came around ♪

The planets came around ♪

The sun is going down ♪

I can see it going down ♪

- The moon is on the run ♪

- [DOOR THUDS CLOSED]

The moon is on the run

- [EMMETT] Ma.

- [JADA] Hmm?

Why you ain't tell me

the elevator was broke?

[JADA] 'Cause you don't live here.

I'm gonna call the

landlord, get it fixed.

- How you feeling?

- Okay.

You know, I saw, uh, Shay today.

She wanted me to give you this.

- Oh, how's she doin'?

- [EMMETT] She good.

She, uh, got a new man.

- Oh, good for her.

- Yeah.

She got, uh, Devonte in karate.

Oh, good.

She needs to put him in swim class, too.

Yeah, I'll tell her.

[SIGHS]

You know, we had a

a heart-to-heart today.

It was

it was nice.

I thought I'd never see the day.

- [BOTH CHUCKLE]

- Me neither. Me neither.

I'm so proud of you.

[CELL PHONE BUZZES]

Thanks, Ma.

Oh, I got to head off to work.

Just call me if you need me, all right?

[JADA] Okay. I'll call

you if Suede don't answer.

Ooh, what?

- [JADA LAUGHING]

- I'm sorry. I didn't hear that.

I'm still your number one. Don't forget.

- Oh.

- Hmm?

Boy, go on somewhere. Go somewhere!

[EMMETT] Later.

I'll talk to you later. Love you, too.

To concentrate ♪

I'll regret you someday ♪

- The planets came around ♪

- The planets came around ♪

[DOUDA] Don't worry.

- [LIQUID POURING]

- This will all blow over.

Will it?

Yeah.

People always gonna come

for a n*gga with vision.

And what is that vision exactly?

A Black utopia

a world where we can invest

in our own businesses,

where we don't have to

worry about making ends meet,

because everybody has a job.

And we never have to

run from the police.

Okay, and

what about your other constituents?

What about them?

You got to be the people's mayor

if you want any of this sh*t to work.

Don't let Marcus in your head.

No, he's not. This is me talkin'.

I could be better about

reaching across the aisle.

Yes, you can.

What are you trying to say?

You can't fix the system if

you don't know how it works.

I'm learning as I go.

I can see that, bro. I

You know what? You

need a change of pace.

I think it's time that you

graduated from the block.

I could use somebody like

you in my administration.

I'm not wearing no f*ckin' suit.

Well, how about a shirt with a collar?

[CHUCKLES]

How's Jake?

- Growing up too fast.

- Mm-hmm.

He's takin' Jemma out to

some dance tomorrow night.

I thought she was Kevin's girl.

- Not anymore.

- [LAUGHING]

Mm.

And what does Marcus think

about our little man

dating his daughter?

I don't think he's too happy about it.

Yeah. Of course not.

That light-skinned m*therf*cker

think he's better than us.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

I can lend Jake the car, if he needs it.

Nah. I I'll take care of it.

Okay.

Just let me know if

you change your mind.

[LIGHTER HISSING]

[UPBEAT R&B MUSIC PLAYING]

I can't go on a date ♪

This used to be my sh*t back in the day.

I put you on to this.

Girl, what you got

cancer and amnesia?

- Whatever.

- [LAUGHTER]

Hey, can you believe

that we both datin'

some young tenderonis?

Please. Your 'roni's younger than mine.

Please. Yours used to play

touch football with our son.

Yours used to f*ck our son.

Mm.

- Don't remind me.

- [BOTH LAUGH]

You remember when we was they age?

Eh, barely.

- We was a hot damn mess.

- [CHUCKLES]

Speak for yourself.

- I'm mainly speaking for you.

- [LAUGHING]

All right, look, I got my flaws.

Uh-huh, I know.

And you ain't perfect either.

No.

But I practically raised

our son by myself, so

Yeah, you right.

I wasn't around the way

I should have been, but

I'm here now.

Yeah, you are.

And I'm really glad you have

more of a presence in our lives.

Me too.

I realized how much I needed y'all.

Mm. We needed you, too.

[SCOFFS] Don't get me

all emotional up in here.

It's okay to be emotional, Darnell.

I ain't got time for that.

You better start makin' time.

[SCOFFS] You know, for a long time

I couldn't stand you.

Yeah, I know.

But over this past year,

you really shown me a different side.

Yeah.

I want you to know, I

never meant to hurt you.

I just, uh

ain't know no better.

Mm-hmm.

I know that now.

I love you, Jada.

I love you, too, D.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

[DARNELL GRUNTS] Man,

did we f*ck that boy up.

[JADA] Mm, probably a little bit.

[LAUGHTER]

I think he gonna be okay.

- [DARNELL] Yeah.

- [JADA] Look.

Yeah, I'm really proud of him.

He tryin' to get his thing together.

[CHUCKLES]

You think that marriage gonna work?

sh*t. Mm-mm-mm. What you think?

[GROANING, CHUCKLES] I hope so.

That Tiff a little too hot to trot.

She a saint compared to Emmett.

- [LAUGHING] You right.

- Oh, my God.

You right.

Oh, hey, you need anything?

Mm. Oh, yeah.

Oh, oh, the dogs.

- Ah!

- I need a foot rub. Please.

Girl, you better get on outta here,

get your masseuse boyfriend out here.

Come on, he ain't around. You are.

Well, Jada, you really

workin' this cancer thing.

[LAUGHTER]

[DARNELL] Let me Ah!

[LAUGHTER]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[PERSON] Come on, move it along.

[PERSON 2] Why's there

only one register open?

[INDISTINCT CHATTER CONTINUES]

Hey, can I get a little help?

How you gonna be the

new assistant manager

if you can't handle

the after-school rush?

[SIGHS] My mind's still on Maisha.

You wanna earn that promotion,

- you better focus, bro.

- Can I please have my change?

[SMOOTH MUSIC PLAYING]

Sorry.

[KIESHA BREATHES DEEPLY]

What you so smiley about?

- Do I need a reason?

- I I guess not, but

Ah, you got a new n*gga, don't you?

- Yeah.

- You don't know my life.

- Who is he?

- We work together.

All right, I knew it. I knew it.

At least he got a job. [CHUCKLES]

- What you doing?

- Check this out.

Oh, sh*t. Y'all about to buy a house?

[INHALES SHARPLY] I don't know yet.

Can you, uh, come by

with me, look at it?

Yeah.

Not today. Tomorrow.

All right. For sure.

Uh, Papa, let me get Kiesha a plate.

You better come back

here and get it yo'self.

What's up with you?

This little n*gga talkin' crazy.

[PERSON] Hey, man,

you got to pack it up.

You got a whole line comin' in.

How you doing, Papa?

You know, just trying to maintain.

I feel you.

[PERSON] Hey, is that

my food over there?

Can I have it, please?

Uh ha. Sorry.

[BABY COOING]

[JEMMA] Okay, so I still

need to get a manicure,

finish up my paper on

the Harlem Renaissance,

and order my dad a birthday gift.

And that's not easy,

because he doesn't like gifts

and he doesn't need anything.

- Jake.

- Yeah.

What did I just say?

Huh?

[SCOFFS]

Tell me what I just said.

- Uh

- [CAR HORN HONKS]

Who that?

Don't try to change the subject.

- Oh you givin' me the truck?

- [TRIG] Nah.

I'm letting you borrow it for the night.

Wow. [CHUCKLES]

You, uh, you need me

to repeat what you said?

- Yes.

- Too bad. I wasn't listenin'.

Ooh, we about to f*ck

'em up with this one.

Hey, just remember if you damage it,

you gonna find a way to pay for it.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I got

you. All that, all that.

Boy

Boy, I'm about to

oh!

[FUNKY MUSIC]

- A little help?

- [KEVIN] I don't work here.

[HIP-HOP MUSIC]

Gas ♪

Gas ♪

Gas ♪

Gas ♪

- Trig know you got his car?

- Yeah.

He the one that gave me the keys.

[KEVIN] sh*t!

Ah here.

- [KEVIN] Where the lighter?

- You know I got you.

Yeah, I'm gonna need y'all

to cr*ck these windows

'cause my dad is gonna k*ll me

if I come home smellin' like weed.

[JAKE] Man, I got you, I got you.

[PAPA] Thank you.

[JAKE] No problem. No problem.

No commercial, though ♪

Money talks and talk is cheap ♪

So Trig just lettin'

you drive his car around?

Nah, he said I can borrow it

to take Jemma to the Spring Fling.

Know they tryin' to catch me slippin' ♪

I'm observin', though ♪

I'm in hell, and while I light ♪

It ain't burnin', though ♪

Look, man, if you're

takin' Jemma in this sh*t,

gotta at least get it fixed up.

Yeah. It do kinda smell like

cigarettes and ass up in here.

- [LAUGHTER]

- Man, both of y'all shut up.

Well, I'm gettin' too high.

I gotta get out of here.

- All right.

- Hold on, Papa.

I'm comin' with you.

- [CAR DOOR CLOSES]

- Yo. We good?

Yeah.

Guess so.

Gas, gas for a smoke ♪

- Just get this washed, man.

- [LAUGHS]

- It's pathetic.

- All right, man, I got you.

[KEVIN] A'ight.

Gas ♪

Gas, yo ♪

[MARCUS] I'm not happy

with your SAT scores.

You have to work harder.

I don't care about my SAT scores.

Well, that's obvious.

I just don't know if any of

that stuff matters anymore.

It does if you wanna get

into an Ivy League school.

I don't know if I wanna

go to a Ivy League school.

That's all you used to talk about.

Yeah, well, I'm getting older now.

I'm startin' to see things differently.

And whose influence is that?

Nobody's.

Ever since you started

hanging around with Jake

Here we go.

Don't talk to me like I'm one of

your little friends, because I'm not.

[SOFT JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING]

Look, when your mother

and I got divorced

and I got full custody,

I promised her

That you would look out for me.

I know. And you have.

I just don't want you

thinking that I have to go

to a Ivy League school

and get a corporate job

so you can call yourself a good parent.

It's my job to take care a you.

Not control me.

Just be careful of the

company you keep, okay?

I could say the same thing to you.

Ah. Ha.

You could.

You don't want your dessert?

I'm tryin' to cut down on my sugar.

I got you your favorite cake.

That's not my favorite anymore.

- Since when?

- Since I was a kid.

Girl, you better eat this cake I bought.

You do know I'm not

a baby anymore, right?

Mm-mm. Come here.

You will always be my baby.

[SMOOCHES]

Now, help me eat this cake.

Mm-hmm. Tell me it's not

as good as you remember it.

- [LAUGHS]

- I done told you.

[COMPUTER CHIMES]

[LINE TRILLING]

[CELL PHONE RINGS]

What's up?

[KEVIN] Where you been at?

Minding my business.

f*ck.

That's what happens when you get cocky.

[KEVIN] Nah, man, you just cheating.

You just mad 'cause you losin'.

Man, please. Ain't

nobody thinking about you.

Who you thinkin' about?

Come on, just tell me.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

Okay, so, um, just found

out my best friend's

taking my ex-girl to

a dance at a school

I just got kicked out of.

Damn. No wonder you keep f*cking up.

Are you goin' to the dance?

Nah.

I got to go.

- [KEVIN] All right.

- [CLICK]

I'm going out.

- When you coming back?

- [CHERRY] It'll be late.

And don't stay up all night

playing them video games.

A'ight.

[DOOR CREAKS, CLOSES]

[BRIGHT MUSIC]

- [EMMETT] There it is.

- Oh, it's cute.

- [EMMETT] Nice little plot.

- How did you found it?

[EMMETT] Zillow.

[KIESHA CHUCKLES]

[MELLOW MUSIC]

Are you sure this enough

room for you and Tiff?

And EJ? And all your other babies?

[EMMETT CHUCKLES]

Well, it's not for me.

Trying to get a spot for my mom.

- Oh, that's so sweet.

- Yeah.

I hope my baby buys me a house one day.

I'm sure he will.

Yeah, your mom'll love this.

[AGENT] Hold on one second.

[SIGHS] Just hope my

ass can afford it. sh*t.

- Hi. My name is Justine. I'm the agent.

- How you doin'?

Please let me know if

you have any questions.

Okay, um, is there any wiggle

room in the asking price?

Not much, but if you're interested,

you should put in an

offer sooner than later.

Well, what should he do

to improve his chances?

Put in a cash offer.

Ooh. All cash?

Yeah. That would cut

through all the red tape.

[EMMETT] Mm. Damn.

Oh, my gosh, it's you.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

[EMMETT] What?

I'm sorry, do I know you?

[JUSTINE] I know your story.

[EMMETT] Uh, that's not

something she likes to talk about.

[JUSTINE] Of course. I understand.

I just want you to know,

you're a big inspiration to survivors.

Thank you.

No.

Thank you.

- You all right?

- Yeah.

I don't wanna talk about nothin' ♪

I don't wanna ♪

Just bring your ass over here ♪

We ain't gotta have no discussion ♪

- I don't wanna ♪

- Unh ♪

What I wanna do is

loud and clear, do it ♪

Come over here and do it ♪

Let's play some

hide-and-seek with your ♪

I ain't telling nobody

what you over here doing ♪

This between me and you,

let's get crazy to the music ♪

Oh, sh*t, here we go ♪

Oh, damn, here we go ♪

Let me pour you up a

sh*t, let me pour you two ♪

What you wanna drink some wine ♪

What you wanna drink, Goose ♪

What you wanna drink, Corona

with a little lime juice? ♪

Oh, yeah, girl, I got it,

yeah, baby girl, I got it ♪

When you speak in body language ♪

You ain't got to talk about it ♪

[TIRES SCREECHING, ENGINES REVVING]

- [AIR HORN BLOWS]

- [CROWD CHEERS]

[LYNAE] I can't believe

I b*at you again.

Where's your head at?

[GAME CHIMING]

Come on, let's play again.

b*ating your ass is boring.

[TIRES SCREECHING]

Wanna go somewhere?

Where we gonna go?

Want to pull up to Spring Fling?

[SCOFFS] Why, so you

can spy on your girl?

Man, I ain't even thinking about that.

- That's all you thinkin' about.

- Man, f*ck that school.

I just want to pull up,

eat some free snacks,

and watch some white kids

learn how to find the b*at.

[LAUGHS]

That does sound fun.

Come on, then.

[JAI'LEN'S "YOU AIN'

GOTTA WORRY" PLAYS]

Mama said to get up for school ♪

Mama said to get up for school ♪

The next bus leaves for the moon ♪

[DARNELL] Girl, what

you think you doing?

I'm about to make

myself something to eat.

Nah. Uh-uh. You too weak for all that.

I got you.

- I'm not tryin' to have cereal.

- [CHUCKLES]

Girl, I ain't about to

pour you no damn cereal.

So what you gonna make?

Um

I'll make you some of my

famous smothered pork chops.

I'm supposed to be

eating healthy, Darnell.

Yeah, okay. I'll put a

little applesauce in it.

- [BOTH CHUCKLES]

- Come on.

Okay. Don't try to poison me.

[DARNELL CHUCKLES]

Just keep working on that damn puzzle.

Hold on. Hold up. Hold up.

Let me get the whole fit.

- [CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

- They sure are an odd couple.

[TRIG] What's so odd about it?

Jake just doesn't

seem like Jemma's type.

Man, Jake's a good kid.

Mm, he's a little rebellious.

Well, you know, last time I checked,

it was your daughter

leading on the rebellion.

[JAKE] All right, we

gonna be late. Come on.

Oh, wait a minute.

Let me get one with my

baby. Come on over here.

Really, Dad?

Little girl, you better

come take this picture.

- [JAKE CHUCKLES]

- [MARCUS] Come on.

Here you go, Jake. Just one quick one.

There you go. Big smile.

[JEMMA CHUCKLES]

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

Hey, let me get another one.

- [JEMMA GIGGLES]

- [CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS]

Oh, sh*t. If it ain't the Dark Knight.

- What are you doing here?

- [CHUCKLES]

I came by to see the happy couple off.

[TRIG] Well, they were

just about to leave.

Oh. Well, look, let

me hold that for me

get a couple of

pictures before y'all go.

I'll AirDrop you the ones I just took.

Thanks for coming through.

Yeah.

I wouldn't miss this for the world.

Oh [CHUCKLES]

I think you might need this.

[JAKE] Ha.

[JEMMA] It's beautiful.

Thanks.

Anytime.

[SOFT PIANO MUSIC]

[DOUDA CLEARS THROAT] Young man.

H he got it. Watch.

- Thank you.

- You welcome.

It smells like baby powder in here.

- You like it?

- Yeah, it's nice.

[GIGGLES]

Be safe, baby girl.

I will.

You take care of her, young man.

He will.

Appreciate you, bro.

I got you.

[VEHICLE DEPARTING]

How are you?

[OCTAVIA] I'm all right.

Thank you for all this stuff.

You're welcome.

What is that?

That is a SNOO.

It's supposed to help

you rock the baby to sleep

- so you don't have to.

- Oh, my God, I needed that. Ha.

Feel like I've been walkin'

around here like a zombie.

Thank you.

I figured you needed it more than me.

I'm sorry I didn't keep Ronnie with me.

I like that name.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I, um

I'll see you.

Wait, I have something for you.

[SOFT MUSIC]

I wanted you to have that.

Thank you for this.

Thank you for not hating me.

I could never hate you.

I will always send you love and light.

[SIGHS]

How have you been?

Some days I feel like

I have my sh*t together.

And some days I have

no idea what I'm doing.

[OCTAVIA] That sounds about right.

The other day this girl recognized me.

She said I inspire people to keep going.

That's a blessing.

That's also a lot.

Just because someone

puts you on a pedestal

doesn't mean you have to live there.

You finding time for yourself?

Finding time for some joy?

I feel guilty whenever I

do something for myself.

You got to work on that.

How?

Do things that make you happy.

I thought the baby was

just gonna make me happy.

No one has the power to make you happy.

Only you can do that.

What are your goals?

To be a good mother.

What did you want to do before

you were someone's mother?

- I wanted to go to school.

- You can still do that.

I can't add anything to my plate.

You don't have to do it all at once.

But once you get the hang of

balancin' motherhood and work,

eventually you can add

it back to your calendar.

That sounds impossible.

Nothing is impossible.

I tell you what

when you're ready and

when you have time,

come by the office,

and I'll help you look

at some applications.

Why are you doing this?

Because you remind me of

me when I was your age.

I had a lot of potential.

And, thankfully, someone

took me under their wing

and showed me how I

could have a full life,

not just a productive one.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

[FUNKY UPBEAT MUSIC]

Ooh

I-if you don't get outta

here with all that

I just wanted a little taste.

Last time you said that,

we ended up being pregnant.

Lord, that ain't happening again.

[CHUCKLES]

Yeah.

Emmett, where you at, boy?

[EMMETT] Oh, I I'm still at work.

[DARNELL] You better

get your ass over here

if you want some of these pork chops.

- [SLAP]

- Hey

[EMMETT] A'ight. A'ight,

I'm coming right now.

- Damn.

- [R&B MUSIC OVER SPEAKERS]

Why you mad?

'Cause I was at home

minding my business,

making a slow-jams playlist.

[SCOFFS] You know you on call tonight.

It feel like I'm always on call.

Just set the alarm before

you leave, all right?

Wait, where you goin'?

I'm gonna spend some

time with my family.

- [MURMURS]

- I always thought me and Maisha

- would start a family one day.

- My keys

Keep hope alive, man.

- [CUSTOMER] Hey.

- Hi. Welcome to Smokey's.

Do you have a moment?

[ROMANTIC MUSIC]

Do you see me coming? ♪

I know, I know I don't

deserve your time right now ♪

Say what you want, you

can't deny me forever ♪

Yeah ♪

I face it ♪

I'm chasin' ♪

Just about you, just about you ♪

I can't live life like this ♪

Oh, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah ♪

I can't survive like this ♪

Oh, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah ♪

I feel like I'm nothing ♪

Holding on to nothing ♪

I'll die just to hear

you say you love me again ♪

Ah, ah, ah ♪

[LYNAE] Ah, sh*t. Is

that them over there?

[KEVIN] Yep. That's them.

[LYNAE] She look like the type

that would leave you

for your best friend.

- She do?

- Mm-hmm.

She got money?

Hell, yeah.

Baby, you know that I'm sorry ♪

Baby, baby, for ♪

Damn.

I forgot my bag at your place.

- So?

- It got my weed in it.

I gotta go back.

If we leave and come back,

we'll miss half the dance.

You know they end at 11.

You want your dad to find my sh*t?

Right. That's a good point.

Um

Fine. Come on.

But when it's time,

I know that you'll

- You wanna look around?

- Not really.

But I'd rather do that than

look at these lame-ass kids.

Come on.

I can't survive like this ♪

Oh, nah, nah, nah, nah ♪

[OBJECT THUDS]

[DOUDA] I know you want to destroy me.

But you ain't got sh*t.

I mean, I can always get Roselyn

to go public about you and Tracy.

Oh, n*gga, please.

People would drag me

for a week and move on.

I know you still have g*ng ties.

And how do you intend to prove that?

You think I don't know you

k*lled an innocent civilian?

Brandon wasn't innocent.

[MARCUS] And you

misused government funds.

No. No, I gave money to an organization

that's more dedicated to

protecting our community

than the Chicago PD.

I'm curious.

If they didn't come for Jake,

would you have come for them?

Absolutely.

I saw the video.

All he had to do was

show the officer his ID.

[CHUCKLES]

[GLASS THUDS LOUDLY]

He didn't have to do sh*t.

Just do me a favor and keep

him away from my daughter.

You know, from what I can

tell, it's your daughter

the one who's out

here f*cking everybody.

You gonna disrespect me in my house?

You keep my daughter's

name out your mouth.

Do you hear me?

[MARCUS GRUNTING, GROANING]

[BLOWS LANDING]

[DARK MUSIC]

[MARCUS GROANS WEAKLY]

[GROANS SOFTLY, WHEEZES]

- [DOOR OPENS]

- Man, what the f*ck was all

[DOOR SLAMS]

Man, what the f*ck are you doin'?

You f*cking lucky he's still breathing.

Who you calling?

The police?

Man I can't let him die like this.

Yes, you can.

[MARCUS WHEEZING]

- [EMMETT] This is pretty good.

- [JADA] Mm-hmm.

When was the last time we all sat down

to have a meal together?

[SCOFFS] Uh, Nina and Dre's wedding?

[DARNELL] Mm, well, that don't count,

'cause that food was nasty as hell.

- [LAUGHTER]

- Why you bringing up old sh*t?

[LAUGHTER CONTINUES]

Had to bring that up.

- Mm, Darnell

- Hmm?

you put both your

feet in these pork chops.

Yeah.

Naw, I ain't trying to

think about his ashy-ass feet

while I'm eating these pork chops.

Boy, I know you ain't talkin'

with them eagle claws

you got down there.

[LAUGHTER]

I take after you. I take after you.

Yeah. Yeah. Well, Dom ain't complaining.

- [EMMETT] Oh.

- [JADA] Gross. Gross.

Oh, woman, don't act like

you ain't never sucked my toes before.

Hey! Our son don't

need to know about me.

- Ah, he all right.

- [EMMETT] I can't See, now

Ah! I don't wanna eat.

Pork chops I'm gonna

get some applesauce.

That's how you got here,

though sucking them toes.

- [JADA] Oh.

- [LAUGHTER]

Y'all

This sh*t like a college.

Yeah. It's easy to get lost.

Is that why you hate it so much?

I just hate who I have to be.

Who is that?

You know

top of your game

even when you don't feel like it.

Yeah. This do seem like a

school for over overachievers.

And I'm definitely not one of those.

I only wanna be good

at sh*t I care about.

- Like video games.

- I'm good at more than that.

You like school?

Yeah, but I got more important sh*t

to worry about than my homework.

Like what?

Like where I'm gonna live.

Thought you lived with

your brother and his girl.

Well, my brother had to

leave town for something,

and when he's not around,

me and his girl don't

get along too well.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I don't need your apology.

Damn. Can't I just be nice?

I'm not used to n*gg*s being nice.

Well, I am.

I ain't got no tricks up my sleeve.

You better not.

[KEVIN] Come on.

- Okay, you want to get it?

- Hell, no.

If I go in and he catches me,

he's not gonna let me come back out.

What you think he gonna

do if he catches me?

- He can't do sh*t to you.

- He can call the police.

They not answering his calls these days.

[SIGHS]

- Wait.

- [KEYS JINGLE]

Go through the back.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

[TRIG] Come on, Marcus.

What the f*ck you got going on, bro?

f*ck, man, are you crazy?

You just gonna f*cking sit there?

- [DOOR OPENS]

- Come on, Marcus. Come on.

What the f*ck you on, bro?

Jake. Jake.

It's not what it look like, bro.

Jake. No, Jake.

Jake!

[DOOR SLAMS]

Breathe, man.

[OMINOUS MUSIC]

- You okay?

- [EXHALES SHARPLY]

Yeah.

My dad was asleep, wasn't he?

I think so.

[ENGINE TURNING OVER]

[EMMETT] Hey, Darnell,

can you give me a-a lineup?

Damn.

Y'all really trying

to put me to work, huh?

- [CHUCKLES]

- I could use a lineup, too.

[MELLOW ROCK MUSIC]

Yeah.

Yeah, I got you.

Thanks, D.

[RAZOR BUZZING]

[GROANING SOFTLY]

Man, f*ck this, I'm

calling an ambulance.

- [DOUDA] He wanted to ruin me.

- Bro, he's got a daughter.

Well, maybe he should've

thought about her

before he threatened me.

[WHEEZING, GASPING]

Trig

let that m*therf*cker die.

[MOUTHING WORDS]

[JEMMA] What's wrong?

Nothing.

I'm good.

You sure?

Yeah.

[DARK MUSIC]

Take the bed.

[CLOTHES RUSTLING]

[MELLOW BALLAD PLAYS]

Oh oh oh ♪

Thank you.

I understand that

I made you a promise ♪

I can't break and you trust me ♪

And swear I don't wanna promise ♪

But I'm stuck in the

middle of and I'm movin' on ♪

I want you, you want me ♪

But are we even meant to be ♪

Still, I want this 'cause

one thing's for sure ♪

I don't wanna spend this life ♪

Bein' alone ♪

Ah ah ah ♪

One thing my love can say is ♪

You touch my heart ♪

Ooh ooh ooh ♪

Two things that I

can never take away ♪

Is your love ooh ooh ♪

And the doubt in my heart ♪