01x06 - The Honeymoon

[bunniefuu]

["Japanese Denim" by
Daniel Caesar playing]

♪ I don't stand in line
I don't pay for clubs ♪

♪ f*ck that, yeah ♪

♪ But I'll wait for you ♪

♪ There's no one
above, up above ♪

♪ Forever's a long time, yes ♪

♪ My blue jeans ♪

♪ Will last me all ♪

- ♪ My life ♪
- [no audible dialog]

♪ Oh, yes... ♪

[Eric] Justin.

Justin, take them things out
your ear and answer your mother.

What, you say something?

I said make sure you pack
your gym bag tonight.

And don't forget to set an alarm
for your tutoring session tomorrow.

It's very important you be
on it with your schoolwork,

'cause you got Northwestern's
application on top of everything else...

Justin! Are you listening to me?

Yeah, yeah.

Okay. You got the
early-decision application.

You trying to go on and
play basketball, walk on,

and we gotta make sure that you are on
top of everything you gotta work on.

- [Eric] I'm a pro.
- [Dawn laughing]

[Eric] You know I'm
a pro, right? Pro?

- [Dawn] Listen to your daddy.
- [Eric chuckles]

- [Justin] What the...?
- [Eric laughing]

What?!

[Dawn and Eric] Surprise!

Are you kidding me?!

What? That's crazy.

- We got you.
- Got him, boy!

- ["New Whip, Who Dis?" by Daz Rinko plays]
- Yo, what?

- Are you serious?
- Yes!

Are you serious? [laughing]

Yo, and y'all got me
the Jeep. Thank you.

You know I'm not gonna let
your mama get you no Subaru.

[Justin laughs]

- The Jeep! You got the Jeep!
- The Jeep!

I still say it's a safer car.

That Subaru gets better
gas mileage and...

[hat thuds]

- [Dawn laughs emotionally]
- [Justin] Okay, Mom.

- Justin.
- [camera shutter clicking]

Okay, stop, okay?

This car is for school,
basketball, tutoring. Okay?

Okay.

[Dawn] Not a car full of people.
It's driving the speed limit.

[crying] It's not driving drunk.
It's coming home on time, okay?

Okay, Mom. Don't cry.
Please, don't cry.

- Stop.
- [Dawn squeals]

Hey, you work hard. We proud
of you. You deserve it.

- You know? You deserve it.
- So proud of you.

Man, it's like somebody died in here.
Thought you'd be jumping up and down.

[Eric laughing]

He cracking on you.

Hey, get some pictures.

[Eric] Aww.

[laughing] Don't cry, don't cry.

- Your baby gotta grow up.
- [Jaden] Yeah.

Is it cool? Cool.

- [all laughing]
- [camera shutter clicking]

- Hey, bro. Now you got proof.
- Let me see these.

We need to edit
and post this ASAP.

Jaden, go unpack so you can put a load
in the washer before you shower. Okay?

- Justin.
- Hm?

Your mother and I still need to
discuss some things with you.

And you thought
the car was free.

Um, is this about
early decision?

'Cause I heard you, so...

Uh, yes and no.

We didn't wanna bring
this up on the island,

but now that we're back, and your
senior year is around the corner,

we wanna talk to
you about Keisha.

I mean, what about her?

Well, she's a very nice girl.

And it was very sweet to see you
two rekindle things in the Vineyard.

- How well do you know Keisha, man?
- Sorry, where is this coming from?

- Ah... [breathes deeply]
- [Dawn clears throat]

Keisha has a sex tape.

[Dawn] Zack's mom.

The one we saw in
Aquinnah. She told me.

I know.

- Wait, what?
- You know?

When were you gonna tell us?

It wasn't any of your business.

Plus it happened so long ago, back
at Brookwood with Christian, so...

Wait, Christian,
her ex Christian?

The one she went to prom with and
had you heartbroken over? I...

Keisha is an impressive girl, but
should you be dating her right now?

Especially this close
to the finish line?

You've got a lot on
your plate, Justin.

Okay, then why bring this up?

What exactly do you want me
to do with this information?

So she made a mistake at 16.

Doesn't give you the right to judge
her. Just like I'm not judging her.

I've been helping
her deal with it.

That's the type of person
you raised me to be.

[inhales] Hey, man, you know
this is your mama's idea, right?

Okay, Eric!

Justin.

[somber music playing]

Life is coming very fast.

Okay?

You don't know how
to handle everything.

I love her.

And I'm not gonna
break up with her.

All right.

Go unpack.

You're good to go.

Hey, Mom.

Thanks again for giving me the
new car. I really appreciate it.

You're welcome.

[door closes]

[pensive music playing]

["8TEEN" by Khalid playing]

♪ Yeah ♪

- ♪ Hey ♪
- [cell phone vibrating]

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Woke up a little too
late this morning ♪

- ♪ Hey ♪
- ♪ But I think I'll be okay ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Traffic's backed up
From corner to corner ♪

- ♪ So I guess I'll hit the highway... ♪
- [Keisha] Oh my god! A car? Justin.

- [gasps]
- ♪ The highway ♪

♪ Shake away all the
stress Off my shoulders ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Gonna have a good day ♪

- [notifications whooshing]
- [Keisha laughs]

♪ It's me and you,
ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Let's do all the stupid
sh*t That young kids do ♪

♪ It's me and you ♪

[Shelly] Oh, snap!

Look who's up all bright and early for
her first day of senior year. [laughs]

- Well...
- What you so happy about?

I mean, why wouldn't I be happy?

You're just weeks away from
getting that scholarship to Howard.

I hope.

I know.

Wait, why are you so happy?

I have good news.

Really?

I know, right? [chuckles]

I got the job at USC.

- What? What? What?
- Yes. Yes, yes!

[both laughing]

I was gonna cook a Frito pie tonight
and just let you know then, but yes.

- I did it! I got it!
- Mom!

- I start in two weeks.
- Ohh!

You know, baby,

opportunity is always
gonna come. We just...

We have to be strong enough to stand in
line for it and be ready when she does.

You deserve everything.

No, we deserve everything.

- Yeah, we do. Yeah, we do.
- We do! We do!

- Yeah, we do. Yeah, we do!
- We do! We do!

[both laughing]

[cell phone vibrating]

[Jaden] Mom, can Justin
take me to school today?

No, he's not taking you. He
needs to get used to driving.

[Eric] Come on, Jaden,
finish up. We about to go.

All right, baby, see
you later. Love you.

Love you.

Hey, you be safe, all right?

And family texts on landings
and departures, right?

All right. Come
on, man, let's go.

- [Justin] Peace.
- Later. Love y'all.

- [Dawn] Bye.
- [Justin] Love you.

[door closes]

You excited about senior year?

Yep.

[vehicle doors close]

[engine turns over]

You know I still have
questions, right?

- Mom, we already...
- Have you seen this video?

Yeah.

Did you pass it around?

What? No.

That's why she left Brookwood.

Yeah, I don't like how
everybody's going around

talking about this
little girl so casually.

Okay. So all of a
sudden we care now?

Hey.

Just yesterday, you told me to
break up with her, so I'm confused.

Yeah, I did skip to how
this affects my child

without considering what
she was going through.

Thank you for throwing
water on my face.

What does Shelly think?

Justin.

Does her mother know
about this tape?

No.

So is she out here carrying
this thing on her own?

What? No, she's got me.

Okay, I hear you. I
admire your confidence.

But her mother

needs to know, Justin.

So either you can talk to Keisha and
get her to tell her mother, or I will.

Mom.

And come Monday, I am calling
Shelly either to check on her

or to have a very
uncomfortable conversation,

and you're gonna get
me her number today.

- Mom, I... I...
- Justin, you say you love Keisha.

Well, sometimes, love
does the hard thing.

These white folks at private schools,
they tell us it takes a village,

until it comes to our children.

And these are the years to mess up,
while you still have a village around you

to help you get through it.

[somber music playing]

The village at
Brookwood failed Keisha.

But this family...

will not.

[FaceTime calling]

Hey, you.

Hi.

Your car, it has so many
possibilities. [laughs]

Um, why's your face
like that? What's wrong?

Uh, Keisha, my parents
know about the sex tape.

[pensive music playing]

H... How? Did you say something?

Keisha, I would never do that. It was
Zack's mom, who we saw on the island.

She was running
her f*cking mouth.

[Keisha breathing heavily]

[Justin] Keisha, I'm
sorry this won't go away.

My mom, she's calling your mom Monday,
either to check on y'all or to tell her.

Wha... What? No. What the
f*ck? She can't do that.

- I tried to talk her out of it, but...
- This is my life.

Okay, she doesn't know what's
best for me or my family.

[exhales] My mom deserves to think
that I'm amazing, because guess what?

If I am, she is too.

Okay, well, she doesn't have to think
you're amazing. You are amazing.

And so is your mom.

- I gotta call you back.
- Keish...

[call ends]

f*ck.

f*ck.

[pensive music continues]

- [indistinct chatter]
- [school bell ringing]

[Darius] Oh sh*t!

New car?

What's good. Hey,
we're going everywhere.

Every house party,
every kickback, man.

We don't even need
my mama's car.

It's senior year, and
we outside this dream.

Man, what are you wearing?

Pajamas.

I'm going in here and
going to sleep, man.

I'm already good at Tufts,
so hard work is over for me.

Damn, must be nice. My mom's
sitting on my a*s right now,

wants me to apply early
decision to Northwestern.

What the f*ck? Hey,
you that smart?

- Yo, f*ck you.
- [Darius laughing]

Smart enough, because they need
this three-point shot I got.

I can see that. I'm gonna
have my grandma pray for you.

Did Keisha see the new car?

She gonna have that gas tank screaming.
I ain't even talking about the car.

All right, enough about
the Keisha sex talk.

You still sprung?

Nah, bro. I'm just
not in the mood.

My mom found out
about the sex tape.

And if Keisha doesn't tell her
mom, then my mom will, so...

Wow.

Parents.

Hey, as f*cked up as it is,

I'd let your mom tell her.

Call her bluff.

It's not easy to say.

["No Stressin'" playing]

Oh, Keisha, we're going to Jamba
for smoothies. You rolling?

[Keisha] Oh, um...

- Actually...
- [horn honking]

♪ I want you in my presence
Being around you is a blessing ♪

- ♪ No stressin'... ♪
- I gotta go.

Okay with the Jeep.

- Hey, beautiful.
- [Keisha] Hey.

♪ I want you, I'm invested ♪

♪ No stressin', I'm in bliss ♪

♪ No stressin', no stessin'... ♪

[all] Aww!

Girl, why I'm not in
love? They're cute.

♪ No stressin' No
stressin', no stressin' ♪

♪ Your loving is the bestest
I want you, I'm invested ♪

♪ No stressin', I'm in bliss ♪

- ♪ No stressin', no stressin' ♪
- ♪ Ooh, ah ♪

♪ No stressin' No
stressin', no stressin' ♪

I got a couple LOIs.

That's good.

What schools?

Nowhere where my mom
wants me to go...

but it's still cool
getting the letters.

[scoffs] Your mom.

I mean, come on, Keisha, we have
to talk about it at some point.

[somber music playing]

[Keisha] All I ever wanted was to
protect her from this bullshit.

[Justin] Okay, so tell her
that. Minus the bullshit part.

[Keisha] Mom, there's a
video of me with Christian.

[Justin] Okay,
what kind of video?

[Keisha] Of us being together.

[Justin] I know you can do this,
Keisha. Your mom loves you.

Thank you for washing
these dishes. Did you eat?

'Cause Freddie fried some
crab cakes for this table

that didn't want 'em
at the last minute.

I figured we'd take care of 'em.

Ooh, and I brought us some of that good
old Harold and Belle's garlic bread.

Go get us some plates before
I have to head out again.

Keisha.

What's wrong?

Did you hear something
about Howard?

It's not Howard.

Okay. Thank God. Don't
scare me like that, girl.

What is it, boy trouble?

[Keisha inhales sharply]

Aww.

Come here, sweetie.

[Keisha sniffles]

I can't help you if you
don't tell me what's wrong.

It's Christian.

Okay.

There's a video of us.

What kind of video?

What kind of video, Keisha?

I'm sorry.

You let that boy
take a video of you?

When we were together
at Brookwood, I...

And it got out.

Got out where?

I don't know. Everywhere. That's
why I wanted to get away from it.

A sex tape, Keisha?

I mean, it's not
like a full sex tape.

I didn't do anything, like,
to where I could get pregnant.

Okay, you think that
makes a difference?

You down on your knees, and I'm
down in that principal's office

cussing those white people
out, calling them r*cist.

They were!

No!

You let that boy trick
you out of Brookwood.

Out of a scholarship.

He didn't trick me, Mama.

Do you know how much we lost
trying to get you into St. Maria's?

Man, how could you be so stupid?

I'm sorry. Where are you going?

I don't have time to
deal with this right now.

- Mom.
- I gotta start my shift.

You told me to talk. I'm
trying to talk to you.

I can't talk.

'Cause I have to work.

Work so you can go to a
school I can't f*cking afford!

[Keisha breathing shakily]

[somber music playing]

[door slams]

[Keisha continues
breathing shakily]

- [Eric] ...lime...
- [Dawn] Banana.

- I don't...
- [Eric] It's like a guava.

[Dawn] Ooh.

I need to check on Keisha.

She told her mom, and her mom walked out
on her and just went to work, so I...

[Eric] What?

- Yeah, she works nights.
- Justin.

They will figure this out.

But they wouldn't have
to figure this out

if you hadn't forced
Keisha to tell her mom.

We've talked about this.

I don't understand why
you hate her so much.

I don't hate her,
okay? It's late.

You don't need to
be out driving now.

I mean, I thought you said
that we were her village.

Doesn't that make us
all responsible for her?

- Son, go get her. Take her on a drive.
- It...

- Eric!
- Dawn.

- The police are out more at night.
- Dawn.

Drive to the lookout
where I always take us.

Sit down for a bit. Talk some.

Now, if the police approach...

- Oh my God.
- ...you know what to say and do, right?

Keep my wallet in my cup holder.

Um, insurance and... and
registration in my visor.

Roll down the window, keep
my hands on the wheel.

Wallet on the dashboard.

You don't wanna be moving around,
reaching for anything, okay?

Be there for Keisha.

Drop her back home.

Be back here by midnight.

And when we text
you, please respond.

- [Justin] Okay, yeah.
- Okay?

- Okay, okay.
- [Eric] Okay.

- Thanks, Dad.
- [Eric] All right.

Wait, hey! Eric. Seriously?

- Dawn!
- Are we doing this?

You said you wanted him to
be on some man sh*t, right?

So we gotta teach him
to do like a man, okay?

Go!

[Dawn] Hey...

You worry too much.
Let him grow up.

sh*t.

- ["If You Love It" by Naomi August plays]
- ♪ I know you've been stressed out ♪

♪ Over some real sh*t
happening lately ♪

♪ Let me calm your
mind down... ♪

[Keisha] When I'm with you, I
don't feel sick to my stomach.

Okay, I think
that's a compliment.

[Keisha chuckles]

The reason I let you kiss
me at Chloe's party...

[chuckles] It was...

When I saw you, I
just instantly felt...

calm.

Like, I... I didn't
feel anxious,

like how I normally do
at parties like that.

Before I made the video,

back when I was
invisible to everybody...

my mom was my calm place.

But she's not anymore.

You are.

No pressure.

Don't worry about me.

I'm always gonna
be here for you.

Forever?

Forever.

♪ I won't let you fall ♪

♪ It's all, it's all
right to love you... ♪

[Keisha] Text me
when you get home.

[Justin] Okay. Make
sure you lock the doors.

[song ends]

[chill music playing]

[chill music heard
through Jeep stereo]

[uneasy music playing]

[indistinct police
radio chatter]

[ominous music plays]

[turns chill music off]

[indistinct police
radio chatter]

[uneasy music playing]

[turn signal ticking]

[brakes squeal]

[exhales nervously]

[siren chirps]

[siren wails]

[exhales heavily]

[phone keyboard clacking]

[notification whooshes]

[unfastens seatbelt]

[door unlocks]

[screen door creaks open]

[screen door closes]

[front door closes]

Good morning.

Good morning.

[keys jangle]

[phone keyboard clacking]

[door slams]

[exhales]

Have a good day.

Sit down.

How did we get here?

It's hard to explain.

Figure it out.

Well, Justin's mom
was gonna tell you.

What the f*ck does Justin
have to do with this?

Justin's my boyfriend.

Justin Edwards?

[scoffs]

[laughs incredulously]

What the f*ck else you hiding?

I've actually liked him
for a really long time now.

We were together in Nantucket
and at the Vineyard.

Wait. You told me
you were with Chloe.

But you were laid up
with Justin Edwards?

We weren't laid up, and
his parents were there.

That's when another parent from JTD
told Mrs. Edwards about the tape.

And she was gonna tell you, but
I wanted you to hear it from me.

So everybody knows but me.

- Mom.
- Did you... You tell George?

Or your cousins?

No.

[scoffs] So we just look like the
family that don't give a f*ck.

Like we got our
eye off the ball.

Like we raising daughters to be
exactly who they think you are.

Explain to me how it got out.

Christian sent it to a teammate. He
didn't think that he would share it.

And you can tell it's
you in the video?

Then why the hell you
go to prom with him?

I didn't want you
to suspect anything.

You think I'd want you to
t*rture yourself like that?

Mom, I...

You never went to the principal?
You didn't go to nobody with this?

[Keisha sighs]

So kids are sharing a video of
you and Christian at school?

Nobody's catching on? Nobody's
doing nothing about it?

Well... That's why
I left, to stop it.

But it didn't stop, Keisha. 'Cause
people are still talking about it.

[Shelly sighs]

I was doing some
research on my break,

and there are attorneys who
specifically handle cases like this

where young women get taken advantage
of and the boy gets punished.

No, I wasn't taken advantage...

Christian made you
make that video, right?

And then he shared it with
people. Keisha, that's a crime.

You're a minor. In California,
that's considered a felony.

Mom, Christian didn't make me do
anything. I don't want him to go to jail.

So you want this to follow you
around for your whole life?

Someone has to be punished!

Nobody was there for you.

It's my job as your
mother to make it right.

Someone has to protect you.

From what? It already happened.

I don't wanna be the
girl with the sex tape.

I wanna be remembered
as Keisha Clark,

the girl who beat the odds
and, and made it to Howard.

That's my story, not this.

You don't get it.
You're just a kid.

You don't understand that what
this boy did to you was a betrayal.

It was a violation
of your rights.

There has to be consequences,

and they shouldn't fall
squarely on your shoulders.

I mean, you had to move schools.

I had to take another job.
What did Christian have to do?

You keep saying that I don't
get it, I don't understand.

All we talk about is school and
work and me not getting pregnant.

I wanna get a consultation. I wanna
talk to this woman I found online,

and I want us to build a case.

We made that video together.

Do you want me to
get in trouble too?

[Shelly sighs]

Mom, please don't
make me do this.

[Shelly sighs]

I'm not asking.

[scoffs] Why are you
doing this to me?

Keisha! Keisha!

All I ever wanted was
for this to go away.

And this is exactly why I
don't tell you anything.

Come back here! I'm
still talking to you!

- ["River" by Leon Bridges]
- [screen door slams]

♪ Been traveling these
wide roads For so long ♪

♪ My heart's been far from you ♪

♪ Ten thousand miles gone... ♪

[Keisha] Can you pick
me up after school?

- ♪ Oh, I wanna come near and give... ♪
- [Justin] Where do you wanna go?

[Keisha] Maybe take me
to get my hair braided.

[vehicle door closes]

[Justin] Okay.

[Keisha] My mom... wants to
press charges against Christian.

[Justin] Keisha, I'm...

I'm sorry.

♪ Take me to your river... ♪

[Keisha] I'm moving out. I'm gonna stay
with my cousins until she calms down.

Can you take me to Tiffany's?

["Good Friends" by
Black Roses playing]

[indistinct chattering]

- Can you do my hair like this?
- No, you gotta have money for that.

[laughs] Hey, Justin.

You ever been this far
below the 10 before?

Yeah, I train in
Compton sometimes.

Oh, okay. Lemme go ahead and put
my assumptions back in my pocket.

[all laugh]

- That's what you get for being judgy.
- Okay. Defend your man.

[Justin] Hey, uh,
how does this sound?

"As a student with a
learning difference,

I've had to work extra hard,

not only to overcome real
challenges in the classroom,

but also to see my
ADHD as a superpower,

because I see the world and
situations unlike others."

Okay, try reversing it.

Start off with, "ADHD
is my superpower."

That'll make 'em lean forward,
set you apart from the jump,

and then you can
explain why that is,

and then save the challenges that you
face for second-to-last paragraph.

That way you sandwich the
negatives between the positives.

That make sense?

- Yeah.
- [Keisha] Yeah.

Mm-hmm. And that's
why we call her Urkel.

Urkel?

What? You always been
a little baby genius.

[hip-hop music starts
blasting through walls]

Uh-uh. Tiffany, I'm not
paying rent for all of this.

Okay, it's crowded in here, hot,

and wannabe DJ Mustard
k*lling the vibe.

Can you tell Rodney to turn
that sh*t down or turn it off?

- We got clients.
- Me?

Yeah, if you could, please.

I mean, yeah, I... I got you.

- [Tiffany] All right.
- Okay.

- [Tiffany] Pull that other side back up.
- Okay.

[hip-hop music
continues playing]

[knocking]

[Justin] Excuse... excuse me!

What's up, man?

Uh, Tiffany, she asked me to
ask you to turn down the music.

So you want me to turn
my music down, huh?

Man, I'm... I'm sorry. I'm kind of
stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I mean, I know not to tell a
Black man to turn down his music,

but I also know not to
disrespect a bevy of Black women.

Yeah, you right. Hey, tell her
fine a*s I'll turn the music down.

All right, cool.

Hey, yo, is that, uh, the 808
from YG's "Too c*ck" track?

No.

Okay, my... my bad, then.

But I did use their hi-hats,
though. Hey, you can hear that?

I mean, yeah. DJ Mustard's
sound is... is pretty classic.

- Hey, little homie, what's your name?
- Justin Edwards.

You one of them SoundCloud
kids making beats too?

I mean, you know, there's only
so many video games you can play.

Oh, so it's a hobby?

What? No.

No, I... I...

I respect it.

I'm just,

uh, trying to connect.

Look, I don't need no company.
I'm in here trying to eat.

Maybe you need a sous-chef.

A what?

My dad's a chef.

He increased his business tenfold when
he found the right chief assistant.

You know, he allowed
everybody to eat.

All right, let's see
what you're cutting up.

Okay, cool.

[ethereal music playing]

[hip-hop beat track
playing softly]

[hip-hop beat
playing on speakers]

[Justin] This one
I think he liked.

- Did you play him the one that I like?
- Nah, I didn't wanna overwhelm him.

Though I think I did.

[both laugh]

- I have a confession.
- [Justin] Hm?

I saw you.

You looked really happy.

Like you were in your element.

I love seeing you like that.

I mean, I'll admit it was...

it was fun.

I mean, you've talked to me about
music before, but this was like...

different. It looked
different. [laughs]

I didn't hear what you guys were
saying, but y'all were locked in.

Do you ever imagine what your life
would be like if you focused on music?

How do you do that?

What?

Say out loud what I'm thinking.

Well, I think that's
what I'm supposed to do

with the people I love. I...

I'd say the things that
you're scared to say.

Same like how you did for me.

[gentle music playing]

I wish I had told my mom
when you first told me to.

So you're really not going home?

Why don't you stay with George?

George would just drag
me back to my mama's.

Look, you live under Shelly's roof,
you live under Shelly's rules.

Y'all real cozy.
That's enough. Come on.

Okay.

- Bye. Love you.
- I love you.

- Bye.
- Bye.

What y'all was doing?

- And no, you not riding in the back.
- [Keisha] Why can't I?

[Tiffany] Because my name is
Tiffany, not Bentley. Come on.

[Keisha] I just don't
like sitting in the front.

[Tiffany] What? Why you
think I'm your chauffeur?

[cell phone buzzes]

- [keyboard clacking]
- [notification whooshes]

[whispering] Somebody help me.

[sighs]

[exhales heavily]

[cell phone vibrating]

Hello?

Oh, hi. Shelly. It's Dawn.

Edwards.

Hi.

How are you?

I mean...

Are you okay?

I know ab...

Justin told me that Keisha
told you about the video.

And I am sure it was difficult
to hear that information.

Certainly unexpected.

Listen, um...

I'm listening.

I'm sorry about this, Shelly.

I really am.

I just thought, if the
shoe was on the other foot,

as much as I'd hate hearing it,

I would want someone to tell me
what was going on with my child.

Please forgive me if I misjudged
this situation, Shelly.

[gentle music playing]

No.

Um... thank you.

I know you were only trying
to look out for Keisha.

Unlike everybody else.

Yeah.

Okay, well, I'm not gonna
take up more of your time.

I just want you to
know that I am here.

Um...

And... honestly,
therapy can do wonders.

What?

That did not come
out right. Um...

Okay, this is a lot.

No, what I... what I'm
trying to share with you

is that therapy has done
wonders for my family.

Well...

For me.

Therapy has done wonders

for me.

I've come a long way.

I've got a long way to
go still, but, um...

[inhales]

Apparently, I have a, um...

[clicks tongue] ...catastrophic
parenting style.

[laughing]

Damn near have a panic attack
if my child wears a hoodie.

Okay, this sounds like
an AA meeting. [chuckles]

Girl. [laughs]

[laughs]

[keyboard clacking]

[door opens]

[door closes]

Hello, Mother.

Oh.

- Um...
- Good night, Mother. [kisses]

Justin.

Can we talk?

Yeah, sure.

[Dawn sighs]

What happened? We were scheduled
to go over your application.

Mom, things are not good for
Keisha right now. You know this.

I also know you're not gonna be good
if your application isn't flawless.

Yeah, but... [sighs]

I mean, I... I don't even know
if I wanna apply early decision.

I mean, I think I need more time to
figure out what it is that I want.

Early decision is your best shot
at getting into an elite school,

and the only way you're
walking onto a D1 team.

I mean, but how do you know
basketball is the right path?

Shouldn't I have a chance
to explore other options?

Now you wanna explore
other options? Justin...

You are not a strong enough
applicant without basketball or ED.

Okay.

Okay. Honey.

You've done a great job of getting
yourself here. We just gotta keep going.

Okay, I promise you, Northwestern is
the place for you to find yourself.

They have plenty of respectable
majors for you to choose from

to help set yourself
up for success.

I mean, Dad didn't major
in anything respectable.

He didn't even go to college,
and look where he is.

Well, your dad is
extremely talented,

but it was my relationships
from Northwestern and Wharton

that were the foundation
that carried us up this hill.

Okay, Mom, I just need...

No! Justin.

No.

[pensive music playing]

- I feel like you're not hearing me.
- No, I am hearing you.

But you need to understand what the
stakes of the real world are for you.

You are a Black man in America.

You have to be undeniable.

And a reputable degree
from an elite institution

won't even promise you that,
but that's the best shot I know.

- You have it all planned out, don't you?
- No! No, we have a plan.

And we are sticking to it.

You can't afford to be wishy-washy. A
man has to know how to follow through.

Basketball

and an early-decision
application for Northwestern.

Got it.

[Justin] My ADHD
is my superpower.

And where the rest of the world looks at
a situation and sees one or two paths,

I see many.

I had to learn how to come to terms
with this unique fact about myself,

because as a child, I
often felt inadequate

because I was so different
from everyone else.

[cell phone buzzes]

[FaceTime ringing]

Damn, you look hotter
than a bowl of ramen.

Oh, jeez. [giggles]

[inhales] You working
on your essay?

I mean, I'm supposed to be, but
I can't get my head in the game.

Thank you for taking
care of me through this.

For being by my side.

I'm not going anywhere.

I'm here for you always.

Can I just stay on the phone
with you until I fall asleep?

Yeah.

[gentle music playing]

[keyboard clacking]

[Keisha] I love you.

I love you too.

[door closes]

[baby crying]

Damn, y'all that sprung?

- Urkel, wake up.
- [Keisha moaning]

[Tiffany] Your mom is here.

Let me know if
y'all need anything.

Keisha, we need to talk.

[Keisha sighs]

Keisha.

It hurts...

as your mother to know that
I wasn't able to protect you.

And I know I can't

rewind time

or change what happened.

But someone should pay.

I'm sorry I didn't tell
you when it happened.

I was just trying to
navigate it on my own.

And I regret trusting
Christian with that part of me,

but I've gotten the
closure I needed from him.

I just wish I could
forgive myself.

What do you mean?

[sighs]

I sent him

the video.

I'd still be at Brookwood
if I hadn't betrayed myself.

I talked to a therapist.

Should've made a
sex tape sooner.

Girl, don't play with me.

Sorry.

It was a short consultation,
but I think I like her.

Your boyfriend's mom gave me her
number. No, don't roll your eyes.

'Cause if it wasn't for her, who knows
how long you would've kept lying to me.

For life.

After all you've done for me, I
didn't want you to go through this.

You made a mistake.

You're a kid. You should
be able to make a mistake.

I made a mistake too.

I thought that the worst thing that
could happen was you getting pregnant.

I tried to shield you
from that by scaring you.

Didn't realize I didn't create an
environment where you felt safe enough

to come to me with
something like this.

- Was that your therapist?
- Yeah.

- [Keisha laughing]
- I like her.

[Keisha] Mm-hmm.

She's online, and she costs less
than a set of acrylics, so...

Okay.

[gentle music playing]

Are you okay?

Yeah. [chuckles softly]

I am now.

I love you more than anything
in this world, Keisha.

[birds chirping]

Oh! What are you doing up?

I finished my application. I
need you to sign the contract.

I didn't mean for you
to stay up all night.

Just prioritize it.

Don't ruin your life by
being passive-aggressive.

Yeah, well, I needed
to get it done.

You didn't want me to
read over your essays?

Nope. Keisha helped me.

[sighs] Okay. Well, uh...

Wouldn't hurt to have
another pair of eyes on it.

- Show me the essay page.
- Okay.

When I don't do what you
ask me, you're not happy.

When I do do what you
ask, you're not happy.

When am I gonna be enough?

I know why you're
rushing through this.

Just so you can get back to her.

Okay.

Is this your best, Justin?

Yes.

Just so we're clear, you're
choosing to risk your future

for a girl that
broke your heart.

Like you said, it's
my future, right?

[keyboard clacking]

- It's done.
- Okay.

Thank you. [exhales wearily]

["Bitta" by Eskeerdo playing]

♪ Yeah, bitta ♪

♪ You look, you
look bitta, oh my ♪

♪ My, bitta, yeah ♪

♪ You look, you
look bitta, oh my ♪

♪ Yeah, bitta ♪

♪ You look, you
look bitta, yeah ♪

♪ You ain't got money on deck, uh-huh
Only two zeroes on your check ♪

♪ Oh my ♪ [blows raspberry]

♪ Why you always lying
about something? ♪

♪ Why you always crying
about something? ♪

♪ Man, I talk sh*t ♪

♪ But you got a stank face Like
there's boo-boo on your lip ♪

♪ Bitter like you
bit into a lemon ♪

♪ Bitter like the biggest
snitch Out here telling ♪

♪ Bitter like the dude at
the bar Chewing on free ice ♪

♪ Losing count of all the
bottles In my section ♪

♪ I say, you look,
you look bitta ♪

♪ You look, you look bitta ♪

♪ Bitter hoes f*ck bitter
n*gg*s Have bitter kids ♪

♪ B... b*tch, you bitter ♪

♪ Both eyes closed
Your dreams is bitter ♪

♪ That girlfriend Who
don't need no n*gga ♪

♪ Mad at the world And
the man in the mirror ♪

♪ Probably hate you right now If
you know 'em, go tell 'em, uh ♪

♪ You look, you look bitta ♪

♪ You look, you
look bitta, yeah ♪

♪ You ain't got money on deck,
yeah Only two zeros on your check ♪

♪ Broke b*tch ♪

♪ You look, you look bitta ♪

♪ You look, you
look bitta, yeah ♪

♪ Your girlfriend looking for her
next Only two zeroes on your check ♪

♪ Oh my ♪

♪ Yeah, bitta ♪

♪ You look, you
look bitta, oh my ♪

♪ Oh my, bitta, yeah ♪

♪ You look, you
look bitta, oh my ♪

♪ Yeah, bitta ♪

♪ You look, you
look bitta, yeah ♪

♪ You ain't got money on deck, uh-huh
Only two zeroes on your check ♪

♪ Oh my ♪ [blows raspberrry]

♪ Why you always lying
about something? ♪

♪ Why you always crying
about something? ♪

♪ Man, I talk sh*t ♪

♪ But you got a stank face Like
there's boo-boo on your lip ♪

♪ Bitter like you
bit into a lemon ♪

♪ Bitter like the biggest
snitch Out here telling ♪

♪ Bitter like the dude at
the bar Chewing on free ice ♪

♪ Losing count of all the
bottles In my section, woo! ♪

♪ Being bitter
just don't happen ♪

♪ Being a little bitter-a*s
b*tch Take practice ♪

♪ Bitter on Monday,
bitter on Tuesday ♪

♪ Handing out bitter-a*s
Sunday pamphlets Here, here ♪

♪ Couple millionaires stuntin'
on you That'll do it ♪

♪ Couple picture of Kylie
Jenner That'll do it ♪

♪ I'mma ball out
every damn night ♪

♪ And keep you bitter For
the rest of your life, yeah ♪

♪ You look, you
look bitta, bitta ♪

♪ You ain't got money on deck, yeah
Only two zeroes on your check ♪

♪ You look, you look bitta ♪

[song fades to silence]